Understanding how coronary arteries develop and what causes their abnormalities
Official title: Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms in Coronary Artery Development and Anomalies
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11061850 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how coronary arteries form and what goes wrong when there are defects, with the hope of finding new ways to help people with heart conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $642,168 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL133120-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061850 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with congenital heart defects, particularly those involving coronary artery anomalies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acquired heart conditions unrelated to congenital defects may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the molecular and cellular processes involved in the formation of coronary arteries, which are crucial for heart health. It aims to uncover the mechanisms that lead to congenital defects in these arteries, which can result in serious heart conditions. By studying the role of specific signaling pathways and progenitor cells during heart development, the research seeks to identify potential targets for new therapies. Patients may benefit from insights gained that could lead to improved treatments for heart defects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of targeted therapies for congenital heart defects related to coronary artery malformations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding vascular development and its implications for congenital heart defects, indicating that this approach has potential.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhou, Bin — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Zhou, Bin
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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.