Understanding how ATF4 affects heart development
Official title: ATF4 a Novel Regulator of Cardiac Development
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11085951 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called ATF4 affects the growth and function of heart cells, using special mice to learn more about heart development and what might go wrong, which could help us understand heart issues better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $544,144 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL164549-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11085951 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals under 21 years old with conditions related to abnormal heart development or those at risk for cardiac diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fully developed hearts and no history of cardiac issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of Activating Transcription Factor 4 (ATF4) in the development of the heart, particularly focusing on its impact on cardiac cells. By using genetically modified mouse models, the researchers aim to uncover how ATF4 influences heart cell growth and function during critical developmental stages. The study employs advanced techniques like RNA sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing to analyze gene expression and regulatory mechanisms in heart tissues. The findings could provide insights into heart development and potential abnormalities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating heart development disorders in patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that understanding transcription factors like ATF4 can lead to significant advancements in cardiac research, indicating a promising avenue for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Ju — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Chen, Ju
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improved MRI guidance for pediatric heart catheterization using autonomous multi-beat image synthesis
Aiming to make MRI-guided pediatric heart catheterizations safer and more reliable by using smart, multi-beat data fusion to produce clearer real-time MRI images.
-
Adapting a combination approach to reduce heavy drinking and boost HIV care and prevention among young men
A pilot project tests a proven program that helps young men cut down on heavy drinking and improves HIV treatment and prevention outcomes.
-
How specific anti-NMDAR1 antibodies in the blood may affect memory and brain protection
This research is exploring whether natural or abnormal anti-NMDAR1 antibodies in the blood influence memory, behavior, and brain protection in humans.
-
Screening and treatment of Chlamydia infection in pregnancy to help prevent preterm birth
This grant studies whether screening pregnant people for Chlamydia trachomatis and treating those who are positive can reduce the risk of preterm birth.
-
Pharmacometrics Core at UC San Diego
A pharmacometrics core is funded to support researchers in analyzing drug data to improve how medicines work for patients.
-
Milk Analytics Core for Precision Dairy Research
A core facility at UC San Diego will provide specialized milk analysis services to support research on dairy biology and human health.
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.