Scholars@Duke
Geoffrey Stuart Pitt

Geoffrey Stuart Pitt

Adjunct Professor in the Department of Medicine
Medicine, Cardiology
geoffrey.pitt@duke.edu
Duke Box 103030, Durham, NC 27710
413 E. 69th Street, BB502, New York, NY 10021

Overview

Our research focuses on how intracellular Ca2+, the ultimate signal of membrane excitability, regulates membrane excitability and the consequent function of excitable cells. We have discovered and described multiple mechanisms that control Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and feedback mechanisms by which internal calcium regulates other channels that influence Ca2+ channel function. The work has entailed structure-function analyses of ion channels and their regulatory subunits and studies of mutations that lead to inherited channelopathies such as cardiac arrhythmias and epilepsy.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Adjunct Professor in the Department of Medicine · 2016 - Present Medicine, Cardiology, Medicine
Faculty Network Member of the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences · 2011 - Present Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, University Institutes and Centers

Recent Publications

FGF13 Regulates VGSC-Independent Cardiomyocyte Impulse Propagation via Cx43 Trafficking.

Journal Article Circ Res · December 5, 2025 BACKGROUND: FHF (fibroblast growth factor homologous factor) variants associate with arrhythmias. Although FHFs are best characterized as regulators of voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) gating, recent studies suggest broader, non-VGSC-related functions, ... Full text Link to item Cite

The NaV1.5 auxiliary subunit FGF13 modulates channels by regulating membrane cholesterol independent of channel binding.

Journal Article J Clin Invest · October 15, 2025 Fibroblast growth factor homologous factors (FHFs) bind to the cytoplasmic C-terminus of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) and modulate channel function. Variants in FHFs or VGSCs perturbing that bimolecular interaction are associated with arrhythmias. ... Full text Link to item Cite

Distinct specificity and functions of PRC2 subcomplexes in human stem cells and cardiac differentiation.

Journal Article Mol Cell · August 21, 2025 The dynamic regulation of epigenetic states relies on complex macromolecular interactions. PRC2, the methyltransferase complex depositing H3K27me3, interacts with distinct accessory proteins to form the mutually exclusive subcomplexes PHF1-PRC2.1, MTF2-PRC ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants

Basic predoctoral training in neuroscience

Inst. Training Prgm or CMETraining Faculty · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 1992 - 2018

Fibroblast Growth Factor Homologous Factor Modulation and Effect on Cardiac Ion Channel Trafficking

FellowshipPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2016 - 2018

Identifying the mechanosensitive domains of the Piezo1 ion channel by application of localized force

FellowshipCo-Sponsor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2015 - 2017

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Education, Training & Certifications

Johns Hopkins University · 1993 M.D.

External Links

Pitt lab website