Understanding how heart cells communicate during heart enlargement
Official title: Defining the cardiomyocyte microdomain signaling landscape in cardiac hypertrophy
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11037926 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain changes in heart cells can lead to heart enlargement, which can cause heart failure, and it aims to find out how these changes affect how heart cells communicate and react to stress, with the hope of discovering new ways to help treat heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $436,390 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL167778-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11037926 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are experiencing or at risk for heart disease, particularly those with signs of cardiac hypertrophy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cardiac related health issues or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the signaling mechanisms within heart cells that contribute to heart enlargement, a condition often leading to heart failure. By focusing on the role of lipid modifications, specifically palmitoylation, the study aims to uncover how these changes affect the way heart cells communicate and respond to stress. The researchers will utilize advanced techniques to analyze the spatial and temporal dynamics of signaling pathways in cardiomyocytes, which are the specialized cells of the heart. This work could provide insights into the underlying causes of heart disease and identify potential therapeutic targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve heart function and reduce the risk of heart failure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cardiac signaling pathways, but this specific focus on lipid modifications in cardiomyocytes is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brody, Matthew Jacob — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Brody, Matthew Jacob
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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.