Improving engineered heart tissue for better cardiac models
Official title: Maturation Strategies for Engineered Human Cardiac Microtissues
Funded at University of Akron · NIH-10795236 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new ways to grow heart cells in a lab that better mimic how they work in the real heart, which could help researchers understand heart diseases and test new treatments more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Akron NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Akron, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $448,200 |
| NIH project number | 1R15HL172207-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10795236 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are affected by cardiovascular diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cardiovascular conditions or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing advanced techniques to enhance the maturation of engineered cardiac microtissues made from heart cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. By creating a three-dimensional tissue model that mimics the natural heart environment, the project aims to overcome the limitations of traditional two-dimensional cell cultures. The researchers will investigate how the interaction between these engineered tissues and a vascularized extracellular matrix can improve the functionality and maturity of heart cells. This approach could lead to more accurate models for studying heart diseases and testing new treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for heart diseases by providing better models for drug testing and disease understanding.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using engineered tissues for studying heart conditions, but this specific approach is innovative and aims to address existing limitations.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Akron
Akron, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Ge — University of Akron
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Ge
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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.