NIH-funded research Fellowship grant

Investigating how reactive oxygen species affect heart cell development and injury response in newborns

Official title: The role of neonatal ROS in cardiomyocyte maturation and injury response

Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11031321 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how certain molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) affect the growth and healing of heart cells in baby mice, with the hope that understanding this could lead to new ways to help hearts recover from injuries and improve their overall health.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMedical University of South Carolina
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Charleston, United States)
Project startJanuary 1, 2024
Project endDecember 31, 2025
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$51,974
NIH project number5F31HL172609-02
Project IDNIH-11031321 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with ischemic heart disease or those at risk of heart injury, particularly in the context of neonatal care.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-ischemic heart conditions or those who are not neonates may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research explores the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the maturation of heart cells (cardiomyocytes) and their response to injury in neonatal mice. By using a specific viral vector (AAV9) to manipulate ROS levels, the study aims to understand how these molecules influence the transition from regenerative to non-regenerative heart tissue. The research will assess whether controlling ROS can enhance the heart's ability to tolerate ischemic injury and promote metabolic changes essential for heart cell maturation. This work could provide insights into potential therapeutic strategies for heart disease.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that enhance heart regeneration and improve outcomes for patients with ischemic heart disease.

How similar studies have gone: While the role of ROS in heart development is a well-studied area, the specific approach using AAV9 to manipulate ROS levels in neonatal cardiomyocytes is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

  • Medical University of South Carolina
    Charleston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Walker, Allison Trouten — Medical University of South Carolina
  • Study coordinator: Walker, Allison Trouten

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Il1rapl2’s role in shaping cortical wiring in autism

    This project studies how a brain gene linked to autism helps form the connections in deep-layer neurons to understand why circuits develop differently in ASD.

    NIH research Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, United States · NIH-11686533

  • Neuron-OPC Synaptic Mechanisms Shaping Myelin in Health and Disease

    This project looks at how brain cells called oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) listen to neurons to shape myelin, with potential relevance for autism and related conditions.

    NIH research Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, United States · NIH-11686448

  • Synaptic development and sleep-related brain circuits in autism

    A study in mice explores how early brain circuits that help sleep become wired, hoping to understand sleep problems in autism.

    NIH research Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, United States · NIH-11686419

  • Enteric neuron and intestinal stem cell signals shaping gut barrier

    A research project from the Medical University of South Carolina explores how nerve cells in the gut talk to the lining and stem cells to defend the digestive tract, using human organoids and mouse models.

    NIH research Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, United States · NIH-11623911

  • Glutamine and macrophage behavior in liver cancer

    A funded project at a medical university aims to understand how the liver’s immune cells interact with a specific type of liver cancer by looking at metabolism, especially glutamine and ammonia.

    NIH research Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, United States · NIH-11623910

  • Glycoprotein urine markers that signal lupus nephritis treatment response

    A novel test uses urine glycoprotein patterns to show how well lupus nephritis is responding to standard treatment.

    NIH research Medical University of South Carolina · Charleston, United States · NIH-11550186

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.