Understanding how the heart maintains healthy mitochondria
Mitochondrial quality control in the heart
This study is looking at how heart cells keep their energy factories, called mitochondria, working well, and it’s especially interested in finding new proteins that help get rid of damaged mitochondria to help prevent heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10861761 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms that keep mitochondria in heart cells functioning properly, which is crucial for heart health. It focuses on a specific process called mitophagy, which removes damaged mitochondria to prevent heart disease. The study aims to identify new proteins that help regulate this process, especially those that work independently of known proteins like Parkin. By exploring these novel pathways, the research seeks to enhance our understanding of heart function and disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who may be experiencing cardiac issues or are at risk for heart disease.
Not a fit: Patients with non-cardiac conditions or those under 21 years old may not receive any benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for heart diseases by improving mitochondrial health in heart cells.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding mitochondrial function in other contexts, but this specific approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Augusta, United States
- Augusta University — Augusta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Su, Huabo — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Su, Huabo
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 below.