NIH-funded research R01 grant

Finding genetic causes of congenital heart disease

Official title: Identifying unrecognized genetic causes of congenital heart disease

Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11094004 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at the genes of babies with congenital heart disease to find out what might be causing their heart problems, which could help doctors understand and treat this condition better in the future.

More Heart Disease research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBrigham and Women's Hospital
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project startJune 1, 2024
Project endMarch 31, 2028
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$686,631
NIH project number5R01HL162356-02
Project IDNIH-11094004 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are infants diagnosed with congenital heart disease, particularly those with unexplained cases.

Less likely to help

Patients with congenital heart disease that has a clearly identified genetic cause may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the genetic factors contributing to congenital heart disease (CHD), which is the most common birth defect. By analyzing the DNA of infants with CHD, the team aims to identify rare genetic variants that may explain cases where the cause is currently unknown. The study employs advanced techniques like whole exome and genome sequencing, as well as innovative assays to assess how these genetic variants affect heart development. This research could lead to a better understanding of CHD and potentially improve diagnosis and treatment options for affected infants.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and targeted therapies for congenital heart disease, improving outcomes for affected infants.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully identified genetic causes of congenital heart disease using similar genomic approaches, indicating a promising avenue for this study.

Where this research is happening

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Boston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Seidman, Christine E — Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Study coordinator: Seidman, Christine E

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.