Helping the heart heal after a heart attack by targeting Hippo‑YAP signaling
Hippo-YAP signaling in cardiac regenerative repair
This project tests a gene therapy approach to turn down Hippo‑YAP signaling so adult hearts may repair themselves better after a heart attack.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258023 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team is developing gene therapies that knock down Hippo signaling in heart tissue to encourage regenerative repair after myocardial infarction. They will refine and test these approaches in mouse models of ischemic heart failure to measure effects on heart function and safety. Researchers will use cutting‑edge single‑cell and multi‑omics methods to create a detailed map of how heart cells respond after injury and treatment. These preclinical studies aim to improve the therapy before any future trials in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who have had a heart attack or who live with ischemic heart failure would be the eventual candidates for related clinical trials, although this grant supports preclinical work in animals.
Not a fit: People without heart disease, children, or patients who are not candidates for gene therapy would not expect direct benefit from this preclinical project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to new gene therapies that help damaged hearts regenerate and reduce progression to heart failure.
How similar studies have performed: Similar Hippo‑YAP modulation approaches have shown promise in animal studies at promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation, but they remain unproven and untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martin, James F — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Martin, James F
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.