mRNA-based heart pacemaker
Official title: mRNA biological pacemaker
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11251225 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses short-lived mRNA delivered in lipid nanoparticles to turn heart muscle cells into natural pacemakers for adults with slow heart rhythms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | December 23, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $717,577 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL176951-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11251225 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adults with symptomatic bradyarrhythmias or atrioventricular block who are considering or eligible for pacemaker therapy.
✕Less likely to help
This preclinical project may not help people under 21, those with other primary cardiac conditions, or patients who need immediate pacing support right now.
What this research studies
Researchers will use mRNA packaged in lipid nanoparticles (similar to formulations already tested in people) to reprogram ventricular heart cells so they behave like pacemaker cells. They will test this approach in laboratory experiments and animal models to create and measure new pacing activity in the heart. The team will track where the mRNA goes in the body, how long the effect lasts, and any safety issues. The goal is to identify the right patient groups and safety data needed to move toward a first-in-human trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a non-surgical, infection-free alternative to implanted electronic pacemakers for people with symptomatic bradycardia.
How similar studies have gone: Related gene-based and mRNA delivery approaches have produced pacemaker-like activity in lab and animal studies and lipid nanoparticle delivery has been safe in human vaccine trials, but using mRNA to create a lasting biological pacemaker in patients is still novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cho, Hee Cheol — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Cho, Hee Cheol
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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.