Investigating how to convert heart cells to repair damage after heart attacks
Official title: Post-transcriptional mechanisms of direct cardiac reprogramming
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10947754 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new ways to help heal heart damage after a heart attack by turning certain heart cells into new heart muscle cells, and it's for anyone interested in better treatments for heart recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career 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 | August 2, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $106,201 |
| NIH project number | 1K99HL175039-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10947754 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults who have experienced a heart attack and are seeking new treatment options for heart regeneration.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cardiovascular conditions or those who have not experienced heart damage may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on finding ways to regenerate heart muscle cells lost during heart attacks by transforming cardiac fibroblasts into induced cardiomyocyte-like cells. The team will explore the role of specific proteins and genetic factors that influence this transformation, particularly looking at post-transcriptional mechanisms that affect gene expression. By utilizing advanced techniques like ATAC-seq, they aim to identify how these factors can be manipulated to enhance cell reprogramming. The ultimate goal is to develop a more effective treatment for heart damage that could improve recovery and heart function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative therapies that restore heart function in patients who have suffered heart attacks.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in similar approaches to cardiac regeneration, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xie, Yifang — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Xie, Yifang
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.