Understanding how mechanical forces affect heart development

Mechanobiology of Cardiac Outflow Tract Morphogenesis

NIH-funded research Cornell University · NIH-11023090

This study is looking at how the heart develops after birth and how things like pressure and tension can affect its growth, especially in babies with heart defects, to help find better ways to prevent or treat these issues.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCornell University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ithaca, United States)
Project IDNIH-11023090 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the growth and development of the cardiac outflow tract, which is crucial for proper heart function after birth. It focuses on how mechanical forces, such as pressure and tension, influence the formation of heart structures, particularly in cases of congenital heart defects. By using advanced technology to measure these forces and their effects on gene and protein expression, the research aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms that lead to heart defects. This could provide insights into how to prevent or treat these conditions in affected individuals.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are newborns and fetuses diagnosed with congenital heart defects.

Not a fit: Patients with fully developed hearts and no history of congenital heart defects may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for congenital heart defects.

How similar studies have performed: While the study of mechanical forces in heart development is a relatively novel approach, previous research has shown promising results in understanding other aspects of cardiac biology.

Where this research is happening

Ithaca, 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 2026-06-15 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.