How a specific protein affects heart muscle health and disease

FHOD3 Regulation of Autophagy Pathway in Cardiomyopathy

NIH-funded research Tufts Medical Center · NIH-11175408

This study is looking at how a protein called FHOD3 affects heart muscle cells and could help us understand and treat conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) by using special techniques to see how a specific gene change impacts heart health and cell repair.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionTufts Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11175408 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of the FHOD3 protein in heart muscle cells and its impact on conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). By using advanced techniques such as CRISPR to create a mouse model with a specific genetic variant, researchers will explore how this variant influences heart function and the process of autophagy, which is crucial for cell health. The study aims to understand how stimulating or inhibiting autophagy can affect heart health in the context of this genetic variant, potentially leading to new treatment strategies for heart disease.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include adults with a diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or those with a family history of heart disease.

Not a fit: Patients without any genetic predisposition to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or those with unrelated heart conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that improve heart health and function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of autophagy in heart disease, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.