Investigating how NOTCH signaling affects heart development in a congenital heart disease.
Official title: NOTCH signaling on the underdeveloped cardiac vascularization of hypoplastic left heart syndrome in the hiPSC-derived vascularized cardiac organoids
Funded at University of North Texas · NIH-10439137 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific signaling process in cells might help us understand and improve heart development in babies with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) by creating tiny heart models from stem cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of North Texas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Denton, United States) |
| Project start | September 8, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $438,157 |
| NIH project number | 1R15HD108720-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10439137 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome or those with genetic variants related to NOTCH1 signaling.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other congenital heart defects not related to NOTCH1 signaling may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), a serious congenital heart defect that leads to underdevelopment of key heart structures. The study aims to understand the role of NOTCH1 signaling in the vascularization of the heart by using genome-edited human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to create vascularized cardiac organoids. These organoids will help researchers explore the cellular interactions and mechanisms that contribute to the heart's underdevelopment in HLHS patients. By examining these interactions, the research seeks to uncover potential therapeutic targets for improving heart development in affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve heart development and function in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cardiac development through similar approaches using stem cells and signaling pathways.
Where this research is happening
-
University of North Texas
Denton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Huaxiao — University of North Texas
- Study coordinator: Yang, Huaxiao
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.