Keeping heart mitochondria healthy
Mitochondrial quality control in the heart
This project looks at how heart cells clear damaged mitochondria to help protect heart function in adults, especially as we age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11111322 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how damaged mitochondria are removed from adult heart cells because this cleanup is important for healthy heart function. They are following up on surprising findings that the usual Parkin pathway is not the only way the heart clears bad mitochondria and are testing a different protein complex called CRL5 and a process called neddylation. The team will use lab-grown heart cells and animal models with targeted genetic changes to see how altering these proteins affects mitochondrial cleanup and heart performance. Results could point to new targets for treatments that restore mitochondrial quality in aging or diseased hearts.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with age-related cardiac dysfunction or heart failure driven in part by mitochondrial problems would be the most relevant candidates for any future therapies arising from this work.
Not a fit: Children, people with heart problems unrelated to mitochondrial dysfunction, or those seeking immediate treatment would likely not benefit directly from this basic lab-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new molecular targets that lead to treatments to protect or improve heart function by enhancing mitochondrial quality control.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research established the Parkin/PINK1 mitophagy pathway but found Parkin loss did not stop mitophagy in mouse hearts, so exploring CRL5 and neddylation is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Augusta, United States
- Augusta University — Augusta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Su, Huabo — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Su, Huabo
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.