Understanding how the heart matures from fetal stages to adulthood
Official title: Locking and Unlocking Cardiac Maturation
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11033038 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the heart grows and develops from late pregnancy into adulthood, with the goal of finding new ways to treat heart diseases and improve heart cell healing, which could help patients with heart problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2032 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,137,498 |
| NIH project number | 1R35HL177035-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11033038 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals under 21 years old with abnormal heart development or congenital heart conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fully developed hearts and no history of cardiac abnormalities may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the processes involved in the maturation of the heart from late fetal stages into adulthood. It focuses on understanding the genetic and regulatory mechanisms that influence cardiac development and how these processes can lead to heart diseases. By studying specific transcription factors and their roles in cardiac maturation, the research aims to uncover new therapeutic strategies for heart failure and improve heart cell regeneration. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to innovative treatments for congenital heart conditions and other cardiac disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies for heart diseases and improved outcomes for patients with congenital heart abnormalities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding cardiac development and maturation, suggesting that this approach could yield significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kelly, Daniel Patrick — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Kelly, Daniel Patrick
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.