NIH-funded research Fellowship grant

Investigating a new protein's role in heart function

Official title: Examining the Function of a Novel Protein in the Cardiac Junctional Membrane Complex

Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11031297 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at a special protein called Junctophilin 1 to see how it helps the heart work properly, especially in people with heart failure, by using mice to learn more about its role in heart health.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Iowa
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Iowa City, United States)
Project startJanuary 1, 2024
Project endDecember 31, 2026
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$34,137
NIH project number5F31HL170655-02
Project IDNIH-11031297 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a family history of heart disease or those experiencing early signs of heart failure.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-cardiac related health issues or those who do not have any heart-related conditions may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how a novel protein, Junctophilin 1 (JP1), functions within the cardiac junctional membrane complexes, which are crucial for heart muscle contraction and calcium signaling. By studying mouse models, researchers aim to uncover the effects of JP1 on heart health, particularly in the context of heart failure. The approach involves examining the expression of JP1 in cardiac tissues and its interactions with other proteins that regulate heart function. This could lead to insights into how disruptions in these proteins contribute to heart disease.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating heart failure by targeting the mechanisms involving JP1.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of similar proteins in cardiac function, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Iowa
    Iowa City, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Ciampa, Grace — University of Iowa
  • Study coordinator: Ciampa, Grace

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.