Investigating how stiffening of tissues affects heart cells
Dynamic Biomaterial Design to Probe the Cellular Response to Fibrotic Stiffening
This study is exploring a new way to understand how stiffness in heart tissues affects heart cells, which could help us learn more about heart problems related to fibrosis, especially as we age or face disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10896188 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a new laboratory model to study fibrosis, a condition where tissues become stiff due to excess material buildup. By using dynamic hydrogel materials, researchers aim to mimic the fibrotic environment and observe how this stiffness impacts heart cells, specifically cardiomyocytes. The study will allow for real-time measurements of how these cells respond to changes in their environment, helping to uncover the mechanisms behind heart dysfunction related to fibrosis. This innovative approach seeks to provide insights into the cellular changes that occur as tissues age or become diseased.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with genetic cardiomyopathies or other conditions that lead to heart fibrosis.
Not a fit: Patients without heart conditions or those not experiencing fibrosis may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for heart diseases related to fibrosis.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using dynamic biomaterials to study cellular responses, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blau, Helen M — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Blau, Helen M
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.