Magnesium transporter and heart pacemaker: a primate model of arrhythmias
Official title: Genetic and mechanistic interrogation of a magnesium transporter with primate-specific function in the cardiac pacemaker and arrhythmias
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11372213 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A physician-scientist at Stanford is studying how a magnesium transporter affects the heart's natural pacemaker rhythm in primate-like models to better understand human arrhythmias.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $165,888 |
| NIH project number | 1K08HL179452-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372213 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people with inherited or idiopathic arrhythmias related to pacemaker function, or individuals who could contribute samples for cellular studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without arrhythmia or pacemaker-related conditions may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This work uses a primate-like model to explore how the magnesium transporter SLC41A2 influences cardiac pacemaker function and arrhythmias. The project combines genetic mapping in mouse lemurs with experiments in human iPSC-derived pacemaker cells to connect a magnesium transporter to heart rate control. By studying how changes in SLC41A2 alter calcium firing and magnesium cycling in pacemaker cells, the study aims to reveal new mechanisms behind arrhythmias that resemble human disease. The findings could point toward novel targets for diagnosing or treating arrhythmias linked to pacemaker dysfunction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could identify a new genetic factor and mechanism for human pacemaker-related arrhythmias, guiding future diagnostics or therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in lemurs and human iPSC-derived pacemaker cells supports a link between magnesium transport and pacemaker activity, suggesting potential translational relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chang, Stephen — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Chang, Stephen
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Time-dependent membrane proteins in circadian brain cells
A research project will map how membrane proteins in brain clock neurons change over time and may reveal targets to support healthy sleep, metabolism, and behavior.
-
Understanding how human heart pacemaker cells develop
Scientists are studying how the human heart’s natural pacemaker forms, which could lead to better treatments for rhythm problems.
-
Understanding how specialized heart pacemaker cells drive rhythm and dysfunction
This NIH grant explores how distinct heart pacemaker cell subtypes contribute to normal rhythm and sinus node dysfunction, with the goal of guiding better treatments for heart rhythm problems.
-
Biopacemakers for aging hearts using stem-cell pacemaker cells
Aims to help older patients with a faulty heart rhythm by using lab-made pacemaker cells grown from patients’ own stem cells.
-
How heart pacemakers sense stretch and speed up
A study at the University of Washington will explore how PIEZO channels in the heart’s pacemaker help the heart beat faster when the heart experiences stretch.
-
Protecting the heart's natural pacemaker cells
Researchers are looking at how the heart’s natural pacemaker cells and their supporting tissue stay protected from mechanical stress to help adults with pacemaker problems.
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.