Understanding how heart muscle cells form their contractile units

Mechanisms of de novo cardiac sarcomere assembly

NIH-funded research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11055378

This study is looking at how heart muscle cells are built to work properly, using heart cells made from human stem cells, to help us understand problems that can lead to heart defects and diseases.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11055378 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the mechanisms behind the assembly of sarcomeres, the essential components that enable heart muscle cells to contract effectively. By using human stem cell-derived heart cells, the team aims to explore how these structures are formed during early heart development. The study will employ advanced imaging techniques and genetic tools to identify the biological processes and factors that contribute to the formation of these critical structures. This research could provide insights into congenital heart defects and cardiomyopathies caused by errors in sarcomere assembly.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with congenital heart defects or those at risk of developing cardiomyopathies.

Not a fit: Patients with heart conditions unrelated to sarcomere assembly may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating congenital heart defects and cardiomyopathies.

How similar studies have performed: While the study of sarcomere assembly is well-established, the specific approach of using human pluripotent stem cells to investigate this process is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

New York, 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.