Understanding how heart cells can grow and regenerate

Computational and Experimental Modeling of Cardiomyocyte Proliferation

NIH-funded research University of Virginia · NIH-11003685

This study is looking into why heart cells struggle to heal after an injury, which can lead to heart failure, and it's for anyone interested in new ways to help the heart grow and repair itself better.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Virginia NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Charlottesville, United States)
Project IDNIH-11003685 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the limited ability of heart cells, known as cardiomyocytes, to regenerate after injury, which is a major cause of heart failure. By using both computational models and experimental methods, the team aims to identify and understand the molecular regulators that control cardiomyocyte proliferation. The study includes validating these regulators in various models, including human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and mouse models, to develop potential therapies that could stimulate heart cell growth and repair.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with heart failure or those at risk of developing heart failure, particularly adults under 21 years old.

Not a fit: Patients with non-cardiac related conditions or those who do not have heart failure may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that enhance the regeneration of heart cells, potentially improving outcomes for patients with heart failure.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in understanding cardiomyocyte proliferation, but this approach integrates novel computational modeling with experimental validation, making it a potentially groundbreaking effort.

Where this research is happening

Charlottesville, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Candidate Disease Gene
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.