Understanding how heart cells can regenerate after injury

Reactivating regulatory programs for regeneration

NIH-funded research University of California Berkeley · NIH-10687448

This study is exploring how certain heart cells can help heal the heart after injuries like heart attacks, with the hope of finding new ways to improve recovery for people with heart damage.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Berkeley NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Berkeley, United States)
Project IDNIH-10687448 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the mechanisms behind heart regeneration, particularly focusing on how certain heart cells, derived from neural crest, can promote healing after injuries like heart attacks. By using advanced models such as human-derived cardiac organoids, the research aims to uncover why human heart cells fail to activate their regenerative capabilities after damage. The approach involves studying gene regulatory networks that are crucial for heart repair, which could lead to new therapeutic strategies for patients with heart injuries.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced heart injuries, such as myocardial infarctions.

Not a fit: Patients with non-cardiac related health issues or those who have not experienced heart injuries may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that enhance heart repair and recovery after heart attacks.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in heart regeneration using models like zebrafish, indicating potential for success in human applications.

Where this research is happening

Berkeley, 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.
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.