How air pollution affects fetal heart development
Official title: Influence of Particulate Matter on Fetal Mitochondrial Programming
Funded at West Virginia University · NIH-11078866 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how tiny particles in air pollution might affect the heart development of babies while they're still in the womb, helping us understand if breathing in these particles during pregnancy could lead to heart problems for kids later on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | West Virginia University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Morgantown, United States) |
| Project start | July 7, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $342,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES034628-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11078866 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals exposed to air pollution, particularly those living in urban areas with high levels of engineered nanomaterials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who have no exposure to air pollution may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of engineered nanomaterials (ENM) found in air pollution on the development of fetal mitochondria, which are crucial for heart function. The study focuses on how exposure to these materials during pregnancy can lead to long-term health issues in offspring, particularly related to cardiac function. By examining the epigenetic changes that occur in the fetal heart due to maternal ENM inhalation, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind these developmental disruptions. The findings could provide insights into how environmental factors influence fetal health and disease susceptibility later in life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention of cardiac dysfunction in children exposed to air pollution during pregnancy.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown that environmental factors can significantly impact fetal development, suggesting that this approach may yield important findings.
Where this research is happening
-
West Virginia University
Morgantown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hollander, John M — West Virginia University
- Study coordinator: Hollander, John M
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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.