Understanding how heart cells can regenerate after injury
Official title: Reactivating regulatory programs for regeneration
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-10687448 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,344,373 |
| NIH project number | 1DP2HL173858-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10687448 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced heart injuries, such as myocardial infarctions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cardiac related health issues or those who have not experienced heart injuries may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martik, Megan Lee — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Martik, Megan Lee
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.