Gene editing therapy for heart disease
Development of gene editing based therapy for cardiovascular diseases
This study is testing a new gene editing treatment that uses a special tool to help lower bad cholesterol and improve heart health in rabbits, which could eventually help people at risk for heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10863862 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a gene editing therapy that targets a specific gene involved in lipid metabolism to help prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases. Using a method called CRISPR, the researchers will create a virus that can deliver the gene-editing tool directly to liver cells in rabbits, which are used as a model for human heart disease. The goal is to reduce levels of harmful lipoproteins that contribute to atherosclerosis, a condition that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. By testing this approach in rabbits, the researchers hope to find effective ways to improve heart health and reduce risks associated with high cholesterol.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with high cholesterol levels or those at risk for cardiovascular diseases who have not responded adequately to existing treatments.
Not a fit: Patients who have normal cholesterol levels or those with cardiovascular diseases not related to lipid metabolism may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that significantly lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients.
How similar studies have performed: Other research using gene editing techniques like CRISPR has shown promise in treating genetic disorders, suggesting potential success for this novel approach in cardiovascular disease.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Yuqing Eugene — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Chen, Yuqing Eugene
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.