Investigating how mitochondria affect heart cell reprogramming
Official title: Studying Mitochondrial Dynamics and Energetics During Cardiac Reprogramming
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10996486 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how to turn certain heart cells that can cause damage into healthy heart muscle cells, and it's looking at how the energy-producing parts of the cells can help make this process better, which could lead to improved treatments for heart injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | September 14, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $78,892 |
| NIH project number | 1F32HL176045-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10996486 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced cardiac injuries, particularly myocardial infarctions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cardiac conditions or those who have not experienced any form of cardiac injury may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the process of converting cardiac fibroblasts, which are cells that can contribute to heart injury, into induced cardiomyocytes, the heart muscle cells needed for repair. The study aims to understand how mitochondrial dynamics and energy production influence this transformation, particularly looking at the efficiency and maturity of the newly formed heart cells. By examining the structural and functional changes in mitochondria during this reprogramming process, the research seeks to identify ways to enhance the conversion of fibroblasts into fully functional heart cells, potentially improving treatment options for heart injuries like myocardial infarction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective therapies for heart repair following injuries such as heart attacks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using mitochondrial dynamics to improve cell reprogramming, indicating that this approach may lead to significant advancements in cardiac therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spurlock, Brian M — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Spurlock, Brian M
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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.