Smooth muscle cell programs for coronary artery disease
Official title: Project 2: Smooth muscle cell programs for coronary artery disease
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11391263 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how specific gene changes in smooth muscle cells influence coronary artery disease to identify new ways to prevent or treat the condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $448,571 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL180323-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391263 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with or at risk for coronary artery disease who might benefit from future therapies stemming from these cellular pathways.
✕Less likely to help
People without coronary artery disease or risk factors may not directly benefit from this specific mechanistic research.
What this research studies
This project focuses on how genetic differences affect smooth muscle cells and their role in atherosclerosis and heart disease. It plans to map cellular pathways by linking genes from GWAS data to the behavior of smooth muscle cells, aiming to understand how these cells contribute to disease risk. The work could reveal targets for future therapies and deepen understanding of the biology behind coronary artery disease from a patient’s perspective.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to new strategies to prevent or slow coronary artery disease by targeting smooth muscle cell programs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that smooth muscle cell transitions relate to disease risk, supporting further exploration of these pathways.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quertermous, Thomas — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Quertermous, Thomas
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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.