Understanding how specialized heart pacemaker cells drive rhythm and dysfunction
Official title: Cell Identity and Functional Diversity of Sinoatrial Node Pacemaker Cell Subpopulations in the Physiology and Pathology of Cardiac Pacemaking
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11382758 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant explores how distinct heart pacemaker cell subtypes contribute to normal rhythm and sinus node dysfunction, with the goal of guiding better treatments for heart rhythm problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $565,383 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL173344-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382758 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with sinus node dysfunction or bradycardia who may benefit from future targeted therapies or diagnostic advances.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without sinus node dysfunction or those not suitable for new pacemaking approaches may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at UCSF will study specialized pacemaker cell subpopulations and how conditional pacemaker cells may drive sinus node dysfunction. They will use high-resolution optical mapping to visualize pacemaking activity in real time within these cell groups. The study aims to connect specific cell types to different forms of bradycardia and encounter how conditions change pacemaker behavior. Results could reveal new targets for therapies that prevent or restore proper heart rhythm. The project spans multiple years to build a detailed map of cell identity, function, and potential treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to targeted therapies that prevent or correct sinus node dysfunction and improve heart rhythm.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked pacemaker cell diversity to rhythm regulation, but this project seeks to define conditional pacemaker cells and their role, representing a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lang, Di — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Lang, Di
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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.