Defining and Targeting DELE1-Driven Mitochondrial Stress in Heart Disease
Official title: Defining and Targeting DELE1-Mediated Mitochondrial Stress Response in Cardiomyopathy.
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11431714 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project to understand and block how a mitochondrial stress sensor called DELE1 contributes to heart disease, with potential new ways to protect the heart.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $776,745 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL187617-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11431714 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with cardiomyopathy or mitochondrial dysfunction who may benefit from future therapies targeting DELE1 signaling.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without mitochondrial cardiomyopathy or related heart conditions may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This grant seeks to uncover how DELE1 senses mitochondrial stress in heart cells and how it communicates with the cell’s stress pathways to affect heart function. Researchers will map the molecular signals, test how DELE1 interacts with BRAF and other pathways, and explore strategies to modulate this signaling to preserve cardiac function. The work combines structural biology, cellular studies, and animal models to link mitochondrial dysfunction to cardiomyopathy. If successful, it could point to new targets for therapies that reduce heart damage from mitochondrial stress.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with mitochondrial-related heart disease could gain new treatment strategies that protect heart function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows DELE1’s role in stress signaling and heart protection in mice, suggesting the approach could be fruitful but still early.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Jie — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Yang, Jie
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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.