Nanowired lab-grown human heart tissue particles to help hearts heal after a heart attack
Official title: Nanowired humam cardiac organoid derived exosomes for heart repair
Funded at Clemson University · NIH-11309643 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Developing tiny particles made by lab-grown human heart tissues to help people recover after an acute 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 | April 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $364,860 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL168255-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11309643 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who have recently experienced an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) would be the most likely candidates for future clinical trials of this approach.
✕Less likely to help
Those without a recent heart attack, patients with non-ischemic heart disease, or individuals needing immediate standard emergency care are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this preclinical research.
What this research studies
Researchers grow human heart microtissues (organoids) that include heart muscle cells, blood-vessel cells, and support cells on tiny conductive silicon wires. These wired organoids produce and release exosomes—small natural particles that carry healing molecules like microRNAs—to signal damaged heart tissue to repair. The team compares nanowired 3D organoids to standard 2D cell cultures to show increased production of pro-reparative exosomes and then tests those exosomes in heart-attack models to look for better blood vessel growth, less scarring, and improved heart function. The ultimate aim is an off-the-shelf exosome therapy that is easier to store and avoids some risks of whole-cell treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to a new, off-the-shelf treatment that helps hearts heal after a heart attack, reducing scarring and lowering the chance of progressing to heart failure.
How similar studies have gone: Prior lab and animal studies suggest exosomes from stem-cell-derived heart cells can improve repair and that 3D culture boosts reparative effects, but human clinical proof is still limited.
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.