Nanowire-enhanced human heart organoids to repair damaged hearts
Official title: Silicon nanowire engineered human isogenic cardiac organoids for heart repair
Funded at Clemson University · NIH-11251159 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are developing tiny silicon-wire–boosted lab-grown human heart tissue to help people recover heart function after a heart attack.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Clemson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Clemson, United States) |
| Project start | December 23, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $543,521 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL173532-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11251159 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who have had a heart attack (myocardial infarction) with damaged heart muscle and reduced heart function would be the eventual candidates for this approach.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-ischemic heart disease, advanced multi-organ failure, or those ineligible for cell-based interventions may not benefit from this therapy.
What this research studies
This project makes small human heart organoids from stem-cell derived heart muscle cells plus supporting blood-vessel and stromal cells, and embeds electrically conductive silicon nanowires to improve electrical and structural function. In animal tests the nanowired organoids restored pumping function better than injecting large numbers of single cells, and the team is improving nanowire surface features to optimize cell interactions. They are also using a drug (Molidustat) to activate oxygen-response pathways to grow blood vessels inside the organoids and help cells survive in low-oxygen injured heart tissue. The organoids are being made isogenic (genetically matched) to improve engraftment and reduce mismatch as the work moves toward future human applications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could offer a safer, more durable way to repair heart muscle after a heart attack with fewer rhythm problems and lower cell doses.
How similar studies have gone: Related lab and animal studies, including the team's rat experiments, showed promising functional recovery with nanowired organoids compared with dissociated cell injections, but human trials have not yet been conducted.
Where this research is happening
-
Clemson University
Clemson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mei, Ying — Clemson University
- Study coordinator: Mei, Ying
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.