Understanding how genes and environment cause congenital heart disease
Official title: Gene-by-environment interactions that affect exposure-mediated congenital heart disease
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11118827 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how a person's genes and their environment work together to cause congenital heart disease, a common birth defect.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $540,394 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES032323-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11118827 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research does not directly involve human participants, but future studies building on this work might seek individuals with congenital heart disease or those with relevant environmental exposures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not interested in the genetic and environmental origins of congenital heart disease may not find direct benefit from this basic science research.
What this research studies
This project uses a unique fish called the Atlantic killifish, which lives in polluted environments, to understand how genes and environmental chemicals interact to cause heart problems. These fish develop heart conditions that are very similar to congenital heart disease in humans. Researchers are looking for genetic differences in these fish that make some more sensitive to pollution, hoping to find clues about why some babies are born with heart defects. This work helps us learn more about the complex causes of congenital heart disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us better understand the causes of congenital heart disease, potentially leading to new ways to prevent or treat it.
How similar studies have gone: The researchers are expanding on their successful use of a specific genetic mapping approach in this fish species, suggesting a proven methodology.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Whitehead, John Andrew — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Whitehead, John Andrew
Related research
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Multimodal AI to improve genetic diagnosis of congenital heart disease
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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.