Mini heart-and-liver chip that mimics human heart and liver function
Microfluidic organoid model of cardio-hepatic physiology and disease
Researchers are growing tiny heart and liver tissues on a chip to recreate how human hearts and livers work and respond to treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11301002 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project builds tiny lab-grown heart and liver tissues on a microfluidic "chip" that can pump fluid like real organs. Scientists use human stem cells and robotic seeding to form tube-shaped heart organoids that can beat and generate flow, and then compare these tubes to simpler spherical organoids. They will examine the cells' organization and heart-like function to determine which model better mirrors human physiology and disease. The goal is to create more reliable lab models that could improve how drugs affecting the heart and liver are tested.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with heart or liver conditions who can donate blood or tissue samples or provide cells for lab-grown models would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients needing immediate treatment are unlikely to benefit directly because this grant funds lab model development rather than a clinical therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could produce more accurate lab tests that predict heart and liver reactions to drugs, helping reduce failed clinical trials and improve patient safety.
How similar studies have performed: Organoid and organ-on-chip approaches have shown promise in modeling human tissues, but the specific self-assembling, pumping tube-like heart organoids are a newer method that still requires validation.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sachs, David — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Sachs, David
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.