Enhancing heart repair using modified stem cells
Official title: Improving the efficacy of cell-based cardiac repair
Funded at University of Nevada Las Vegas · NIH-11050988 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special protein called Wnt11 can help stem cells better repair the heart after a heart attack, and it aims to find ways to use this knowledge to improve treatments for people like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nevada Las Vegas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Las Vegas, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $494,954 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL173789-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11050988 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who have experienced a myocardial infarction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to cardiac health or those who are not eligible for stem cell therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how modifying mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with a protein called Wnt11 can improve heart repair after a heart attack. The study will explore how Wnt11 affects the survival and retention of these stem cells in the heart, as well as their ability to promote healing and new blood vessel formation. Researchers will conduct experiments both in the lab and in a mouse model to understand the mechanisms behind these effects, with the goal of translating findings to human treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective therapies for heart repair, improving recovery outcomes for patients who have suffered heart attacks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with similar approaches using modified stem cells for cardiac repair, indicating potential for success in this study.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dawn, Buddhadeb — University of Nevada Las Vegas
- Study coordinator: Dawn, Buddhadeb
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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.