Early heart cell development
Early cardiac progenitors
['FUNDING_R01'] · J. DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES · NIH-11226374
This project looks at how the earliest heart cells and their genetic 'switches' shape the developing heart to better understand congenital heart defects.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | J. DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11226374 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team is studying the very first heart cells and the transcription factors that act like switches turning genes on and off during development. They will use mouse embryos that lack key factors (like MEF2C or TBX5) and apply paired single-nucleus RNA sequencing and ATAC-seq to map where genes are active and accessible. New machine-learning analyses will be used to decode the gene regulatory networks that guide chamber formation. Candidate regulatory elements will then be tested in transgenic zebrafish to see how they affect heart development.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children born with congenital heart defects and families willing to share genetic, clinical, or tissue data would be most directly connected to this research.
Not a fit: People without congenital heart disease or anyone seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to get direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal the molecular causes of some congenital heart defects and suggest new ways to diagnose or eventually treat them.
How similar studies have performed: Related single-cell and genomic studies have helped identify developmental gene networks in the past, but combining paired RNA/ATAC data with new machine-learning and cross-species testing is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES
- J. DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES — SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BRUNEAU, BENOIT GAETAN — J. DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES
- Study coordinator: BRUNEAU, BENOIT GAETAN
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 below.