Understanding how cell signaling affects heart development
Official title: A multidisciplinary approach to understanding feedback and clustering in PCP signaling
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11064022 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a specific signaling process affects the development of the heart and other organs, using fruit flies to understand the details, and the goal is to find ways to better prevent and treat heart defects that some people are born with.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $669,335 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL169299-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11064022 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with congenital heart defects or those at risk of developing such conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with heart conditions unrelated to congenital defects may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling influences the development of the heart and other organs. By using the Drosophila model, which is well-suited for genetic studies and high-resolution imaging, the team aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind PCP signaling. The findings could help explain various congenital heart defects and other developmental anomalies that arise from disruptions in this signaling pathway. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for heart defects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for congenital heart defects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using similar model systems has successfully elucidated mechanisms of cell signaling, suggesting a promising avenue for this investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Axelrod, Jeffrey D. — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Axelrod, Jeffrey D.
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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.