The book combines general concepts and methods to investigate calcium signalling in cells ranging from molecular biology approaches to manipulation of calcium in living cells. The focus within these methods in on the broad range of fluorescence imaging technology, in particular on optical sectioning techniques and fast image acquisition. In addition to these general guidelines there are application examples in a context beyond calcium signalling in two major fields: investigations of isolated cardiac myocytes and red blood cell related research. While the cellular cardiology section provides snapshots of certain calcium signalling aspects, the red blood cell part presents an overview from the functional identification of calcium-channels to a concept of physiological and pathophysiological relevance.

This book provides in depths information on different microscopy approaches and supplies the reader with methods how to untangle highly complex processes involved in physiological and pathophysiological cardiac signaling. Microscopy approaches have established themselves as the quasi gold standard that enables us to appreciate the underlying mechanisms of physiological and pathophysiological cardiac signaling. This book presents the most important microscopy techniques from the level of individual molecule e.g. Foerster-Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), up to cellular and tissue imaging, e.g. electron microscopy (TEM) or light sheet microscopy. The book is intended for graduate students and postdocs in cardiovascular research, imaging and cell biology, pre-clinical and clinical researchers in cardiovascular sciences as well as decision makers of the pharmaceutical industry.