How genes control the heart's inner lining
Transcriptional control of endocardial-specific gene expression
This project explores how gene activity in the heart’s inner lining (the endocardium) affects heart development, congenital heart defects, and how the heart responds to injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248375 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will map which parts of the genome are active in endocardial cells and identify the key factors that turn those genes on or off. They will use genomic tools such as ATAC-seq to measure chromatin accessibility, and combine data from animal models and human-derived samples to build gene regulatory maps. The team aims to link changes in endocardial gene control to congenital heart defects and to signals that promote heart repair. Findings will help pinpoint molecular switches that could be targeted in future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with congenital heart disease or other cardiac conditions who can provide tissue or blood samples, or who undergo cardiac surgery that yields tissue for research, would be the most relevant participants.
Not a fit: Patients without heart disease or those not able or willing to provide biological samples are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal biological targets for diagnosing, preventing, or repairing congenital and adult heart damage by modulating endocardial gene programs.
How similar studies have performed: Genomic approaches like ATAC-seq have clarified regulatory programs in other heart cell types, but detailed mapping of endocardial regulatory networks is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Black, Brian L — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Black, Brian L
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.