Improving heart preservation for transplantation
High subzero heart preservation: from zebrafish to mammals
This study is looking for ways to keep donor hearts healthy for longer than the usual few hours, so more people can get the transplants they need, and it uses zebrafish to help figure out the best methods for doing this.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11064008 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on extending the preservation time of donor hearts for transplantation, which is crucial for addressing the shortage of available organs. By developing new preservation methods, the project aims to keep hearts viable for over three days, significantly longer than the current 4-6 hour limit. The approach involves using zebrafish models to better understand how different cell types respond to preservation techniques, ultimately aiming to enhance donor-recipient matching and improve patient outcomes. The research will explore innovative solutions to maintain the structural integrity and function of hearts during transport.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with end-stage heart disease who are awaiting heart transplantation.
Not a fit: Patients who do not require heart transplantation or those with conditions that contraindicate transplantation may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could greatly increase the availability of donor hearts for transplantation, potentially saving more lives.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in extending preservation times for various tissues, but this specific approach using zebrafish models is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tessier, Shannon Noella — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Tessier, Shannon Noella
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.