How DNA damage in heart muscle cells leads to heart failure
Mapping the cell specific DNA damage-induced molecular and bioelectrical responses in the 3D cardiac unit
This project looks at whether DNA damage in heart muscle cells triggers changes that cause heart failure in people with cardiomyopathy or other heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Carnegie-Mellon University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11230214 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will create 3D heart tissue models and use tools that introduce DNA damage specifically in cardiomyocytes to see how those cells and their neighbors respond. They will measure activation of the p53 pathway, mitochondrial changes, oxidative stress, and secreted signals that could affect other cardiac cells. The team will compare results from 3D models and mouse systems to better replicate real heart tissue structure and electrical activity. This cell-by-cell mapping aims to reveal how damaged heart muscle cells might drive tissue-wide decline.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with dilated cardiomyopathy, heart failure, or chemotherapy-related (anthracycline) heart damage would be most relevant to the findings and potential future trials.
Not a fit: People without heart disease or whose condition is unrelated to DNA damage and p53-driven pathways are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic-science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new molecular signals or targets to prevent or treat heart failure caused by DNA damage.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and cell studies have linked DNA damage and p53 to heart dysfunction, but mapping cell-specific and bioelectrical responses in 3D cardiac units is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- Carnegie-Mellon University — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cohen-Karni, Tzahi — Carnegie-Mellon University
- Study coordinator: Cohen-Karni, Tzahi
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.