Understanding how genetic variants shape gene networks in heart-related cells
Official title: Defining causal roles of genomic variants on gene regulatory networks with spatiotemporally-resolved single-cell multiomics
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11528911 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests how non-coding genetic differences influence how heart-related cells regulate gene activity and respond over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,065,970 |
| NIH project number | 3U01HG012047-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11528911 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
No direct patient recruitment is described here; the work uses stem-cell models to study human cardiac biology.
✕Less likely to help
The study does not involve recruiting patients or providing direct clinical benefits to participants.
What this research studies
Researchers will use stem cell–derived heart cells and cutting-edge single-cell multi-omics to map how specific genetic variants alter regulatory networks and cellular behavior. They will combine time-resolved data, machine learning models, and high-throughput perturbations to see how variants affect gene regulation in different cell types and states. The goal is to build a framework that links genetic variation to cellular phenotypes with potential implications for heart diseases. The study leverages well-characterized hiPSC lines to explore regulatory elements and transcription factor activity at high resolution.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A clearer map of how genetic differences contribute to heart disease at the cellular level could guide personalized therapies and diagnostic strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that variant effects on regulatory networks can be detected using single-cell multi-omics and perturbations, supporting novelty and feasibility.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Hao — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Wu, Hao
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.