How wildland-urban interface fires may lead to congenital heart disease.
Transformation of metal oxide nanomaterials in wildland-urban interface fires causes congenital heart disease
This study is looking at how ashes from wildfires might change tiny metal materials and how these changes could be linked to heart problems in babies, using zebrafish and mouse cells to see how they affect heart development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11038828 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of wildland-urban interface (WUI) fires on the transformation of metal oxide nanomaterials and their potential link to congenital heart disease. By analyzing fire ash samples collected from recent fires in California and Hawaii, the study aims to understand how these contaminants affect cell growth and viability, particularly in relation to cardiac development. The research utilizes zebrafish embryos and mouse embryonic cells to explore the toxic effects of these materials, providing insights into how environmental factors may contribute to heart malformations in developing organisms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in areas affected by wildland-urban interface fires, particularly those with a family history of congenital heart disease.
Not a fit: Patients who do not live in fire-affected areas or who do not have a history of congenital heart disease may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a better understanding of environmental causes of congenital heart disease, potentially informing prevention strategies.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific focus on metal oxide nanomaterials in WUI fires is novel, previous research has established links between environmental toxins and congenital heart defects.
Where this research is happening
Columbia, United States
- University of South Carolina at Columbia — Columbia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Azhar, Mohamad — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Azhar, Mohamad
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.