Understanding how heart structures develop and lead to congenital heart disease
Official title: Patterning Mechanisms for Ventricular Septation and Congenital Heart Disease
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11175773 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the heart's wall forms to help prevent heart problems in babies, focusing on certain genes that might cause issues if they don't work right, with the hope of improving early detection and treatment for kids with heart defects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $605,275 |
| NIH project number | 1R56HL166894-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11175773 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old who are diagnosed with congenital heart disease or are at risk for developing such conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with congenital heart disease not related to interventricular septum formation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind the formation of the interventricular septum (IVS) in the heart, which is crucial for preventing congenital heart disease (CHD) in children. By examining gene expression and cellular behaviors, the study aims to identify how disruptions in these processes can lead to heart defects. The researchers will focus on specific genes, Ntn1 and Slit2, that are believed to play significant roles in the proper development of the IVS. This work could enhance prenatal screening and treatment options for children with heart defects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prenatal screening and treatment strategies for congenital heart disease in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding congenital heart disease through genetic and developmental studies, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kathiriya, Irfan S — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Kathiriya, Irfan S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Multimodal AI to improve genetic diagnosis of congenital heart disease
A new AI tool uses multiple types of patient data to help doctors find genetic causes of congenital heart disease more accurately.
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Multimodal AI to improve genetic diagnosis of congenital heart disease
A big AI project will help doctors and families by better identifying genetic causes of congenital heart defects using imaging, medical data, and genome information.
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Brain injury risk in preterm babies with heart disease and how surgery choices affect their brains
This project follows newborns with congenital heart disease born early to understand how their brains are affected and how different surgical approaches might influence outcomes.
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Newborn brain injury risk during birth transition in babies with congenital heart defects
This project will look at how circulation changes around birth affect newborn brain health in babies with transposition of the great arteries.
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Heart development study using patient stem cells to understand NOTCH1 and congenital heart disease
A study using patient-derived stem cells and genome editing to learn how NOTCH1 affects early heart development and congenital heart defects in humans.
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AI-powered echocardiography to spot common heart defects in newborns
A new AI tool analyzes infant heart ultrasound images to help non-specialist health workers identify five common, treatable heart defects early.
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.