Understanding how human heart pacemaker cells develop
Official title: Dissecting the molecular pathways controlling human pacemaker development
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11388364 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying how the human heart’s natural pacemaker forms, which could lead to better treatments for rhythm problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,657,587 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL186602-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11388364 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with sinus node dysfunction or other rhythm disorders who may benefit from future pacemaker-related therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without rhythm problems or those not contributing to pediatric or stem-cell studies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how pacemaker cells in the human heart develop and what controls their formation. Researchers will use stem cells and advanced gene-editing tools to model pacemaker tissues and test how different genes affect their growth. The goal is to identify key regulators that guide pacemaker cell development and to create lab models that mimic human SAN tissue. Findings could pave way for new therapies for sinus node dysfunction and reduce reliance on artificial pacemakers in the long run.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new ways to repair or replace the heart’s natural pacemaker.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using stem cells and organoid models have shown promise in recreating pacemaker-like cells, but human-specific mechanisms remain to be clarified.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Shuibing — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Chen, Shuibing
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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.