Understanding how heart cells can regenerate
Renewing the heart: cardiomyocyte cell cycle regulation
This study is looking at why adult heart cells can't grow back after an injury, like in heart failure, and it’s comparing them to animals like newts and zebrafish that can heal their hearts; the goal is to find ways to help adult heart cells divide and regenerate, which could lead to better treatments for heart failure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11019743 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms that prevent adult heart cells from dividing and regenerating after injury, such as in heart failure. It compares the regenerative abilities of adult mammalian heart cells with those of newts and zebrafish, which can regenerate their hearts. The approach involves identifying and overcoming the barriers that adult heart cells face in re-entering the cell cycle and dividing. By using a multi-faceted strategy, the research aims to promote the proliferation of adult cardiomyocytes, potentially leading to new treatments for heart failure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults suffering from heart failure or related cardiac conditions.
Not a fit: Patients with non-cardiac related health issues 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 innovative therapies that enable the regeneration of heart tissue in patients with heart failure.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown partial success in promoting heart cell division, but this research aims to take a novel, comprehensive approach to enhance these results.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Evans, Sylvia M — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Evans, Sylvia M
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 below.