Targeting PFK-2 to help heart cells grow after injury
Official title: Targeting PFK-2 to promote cardiomyocyte proliferation
Funded at Oklahoma State University Stillwater · NIH-11292152 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to test whether dialing up a specific heart metabolism enzyme can encourage heart cells to multiply and repair damage after a heart attack.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oklahoma State University Stillwater NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stillwater, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $552,649 |
| NIH project number | 1R15HL179646-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11292152 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with heart disease or conditions that lead to heart injury who may benefit from regenerative therapies in the future.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with heart conditions unlikely to respond to metabolic regeneration strategies may see limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how cardiac metabolism affects the heart’s ability to regenerate. By studying the enzyme PFK-2 and its role in glucose use, researchers hope to find ways to stimulate heart cells to divide after injury. The work uses animal models like zebrafish and neonatal mice to understand regeneration, then tests potential interventions that mimic a regenerative metabolic state. If successful, these insights could point toward therapies that improve heart repair in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new approaches that enhance heart repair after injury and reduce heart-disease complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in animals suggest metabolic state influences heart regeneration, supporting exploration of metabolism-focused therapies.
Where this research is happening
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Oklahoma State University Stillwater
Stillwater, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bae, Jiyoung — Oklahoma State University Stillwater
- Study coordinator: Bae, Jiyoung
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.