Growing transplantable hearts inside gene-edited pigs
Exogenic organs in gene edited pigs
This project aims to grow transplantable primate-like hearts inside specially gene-edited pigs to help people with end-stage heart failure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235140 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using CRISPR gene editing to remove essential heart-development genes in pigs so the animals cannot form their own hearts. They will introduce primate-derived cells into those edited pig embryos using blastocyst complementation and cloning methods to encourage a primate-like heart to form in the pig host. The team will evaluate whether the resulting chimeric hearts develop normally and function in pigs as a feasibility step toward organs that could one day be compatible with humans. All work is preclinical and performed in specialized animal research facilities at the University of Minnesota.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with end-stage heart failure who need a transplant but cannot get one because of limited donor organs would be the most likely eventual candidates.
Not a fit: Patients who are not transplant candidates due to active infections, unstable serious medical conditions, or immune issues that preclude xenotransplantation would likely not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a new large source of transplantable hearts and significantly reduce deaths and wait times for people needing heart transplants.
How similar studies have performed: Gene-edited pigs have shown promise in xenotransplant experiments and blastocyst complementation has worked in animal models, but growing primate-like or human hearts in pigs remains largely novel and unproven clinically.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garry, Daniel J. — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Garry, Daniel J.
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.