Creating a model to study heart and liver function and disease
Official title: Microfluidic organoid model of cardio-hepatic physiology and disease
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11054684 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to create tiny models of the heart and liver that act like real human organs, which will help researchers better understand heart diseases and improve testing methods without needing to use animals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $495,329 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL173456-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054684 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with cardiovascular diseases or conditions affecting liver function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable cardiovascular and liver health may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a microfluidic organoid model that mimics the physiological functions of the heart and liver. By using advanced techniques, researchers aim to create a system that can accurately replicate human organ behavior, which is crucial for understanding cardiovascular diseases. The project will compare traditional cardiac models with new tube-shaped organoids to assess their functionality and organization. This innovative approach seeks to improve the reliability of preclinical testing and reduce the reliance on animal models.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate models for studying heart and liver diseases, ultimately improving treatment options for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using organ-on-chip technologies, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sachs, David — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Sachs, David
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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.