Dr. Tom Claydon

Biography

Tom Claydon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Physiology from the University of Leeds in 1998 and completed his PhD in Biomedical Sciences at the same institution in 2001. Following this, he pursued postdoctoral studies at the University of British Columbia from 2004 to 2007. His primary research focuses on the physiology and biophysics of ion channels, particularly the hERG potassium channel, which is crucial for cardiac repolarization. Claydon's lab employs a variety of techniques including optical mapping, fluorescence-coupled electrophysiology, and molecular modeling to investigate the mechanisms of hERG channel function and its implications in long QT syndrome (LQTS). He also examines drug interactions with hERG channels, which can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias. Additionally, his research includes gene-editing studies using CRISPR-Cas9 and the use of zebrafish hearts as a model for studying cardiac electrophysiology. Claydon's work on inherited mutations and their effects provides insights into potential therapeutic strategies for LQTS and other cardiac conditions.

Research Interests