Bioprinted vascular grafts to help children and adults with single-ventricle heart defects
Official title: Bioprinting Tissue Engineered Vascular Conduits for Treating Single Ventricle Defects
Funded at State University New York Stony Brook · NIH-11415468 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new bioprinting approach aims to create patient-specific, tissue-like vascular conduits that can repair damaged heart vessels and improve blood flow for people with single-ventricle defects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project start | March 10, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $374,603 |
| NIH project number | 7R21HL173807-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415468 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include pediatric and adult patients with single-ventricle defects who need vascular conduits or grafts as part of their planned heart repair.
✕Less likely to help
If you require non-vascular or non-heart-related procedures, this project may not benefit you.
What this research studies
This project uses 3D bioprinting to make vascular conduits from living materials that can be customized to a patient’s anatomy. By printing cell-containing bioinks, the team hopes to produce conduits that better mimic natural tissue and integrate with the patient’s body. The study focuses on fast fabrication and tunable properties to reduce complications like stenosis and improve long-term function. The work is designed to move toward clinical translation where surgeons could use these conduits in fitting patients’ existing hearts. The grant will explore materials, printing methods, and biocompatibility to advance toward safe, usable grafts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive personalized vascular grafts that last longer and integrate better with their tissues, potentially reducing complications and improving heart function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous bioprinted vascular conduits show promise, but many materials are not yet fully biocompatible or printable with cells; this study aims to overcome those limits.
Where this research is happening
-
State University New York Stony Brook
Stony Brook, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mak, Michael — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Mak, Michael
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.