Investigating how environmental damage to telomeres affects heart function
Telomere dysfunction driven molecular outputs in the cardiac unit
This study is looking at how things in our environment can harm the protective ends of our chromosomes, called telomeres, and how that damage might affect heart health as we age, helping us understand more about how these factors could lead to heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11044049 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how environmental factors can cause damage to telomeres, which are protective caps on the ends of chromosomes, and how this damage impacts heart health. The study will explore the molecular mechanisms that link telomere dysfunction to mitochondrial function and cellular aging in heart cells. By using innovative tools to induce oxidative damage specifically at telomeres, the researchers aim to uncover the role of this damage in the early onset of age-related cardiac dysfunction. This could lead to new insights into how environmental exposures contribute to heart disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing early signs of cardiac dysfunction, particularly those with a history of environmental exposures.
Not a fit: Patients with congenital heart defects or those who do not have age-related cardiac dysfunction may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating age-related cardiac dysfunction linked to environmental factors.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that telomere dysfunction is linked to various diseases, but this specific approach using chemoptogenetic tools to study cardiac dysfunction is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gurkar, Aditi U — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Gurkar, Aditi U
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.