Directly reprogramming heart cells to become heart cells to repair damage
Official title: Post-transcriptional mechanisms of direct cardiac reprogramming
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11468163 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Ohio State University aims to help the heart repair itself after a heart attack by turning supporting heart cells into cardiomyocyte-like cells using specific genetic instructions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 10, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00HL175039-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11468163 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with a history of myocardial infarction or heart damage who would benefit from therapies aiming to regenerate heart muscle.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without heart tissue damage or those not suitable for cell-based therapeutic approaches may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers will focus on how post-transcriptional processes influence direct reprogramming of cardiac fibroblasts into induced cardiomyocyte-like cells. The work builds on prior findings about RNA-binding proteins and m6A RNA modifications to understand barriers to reprogramming and to identify molecular targets that improve conversion efficiency. The program leverages genome-wide profiling and mechanistic experiments to map how post-transcriptional regulators affect heart cell identity in adult human cells. The ultimate goal is to advance strategies that could restore heart muscle after injury in patients with myocardial infarction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could inform therapies that regenerate heart tissue after a heart attack, potentially improving heart function and reducing heart failure risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that manipulating reprogramming pathways can convert supporting heart cells into heart-like cells, with promising but early results.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xie, Yifang — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Xie, Yifang
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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.