Understanding Mitral Valve Disease at a Molecular Level
Official title: Unraveling molecular Complexity of Mitral Valve Disease using single cell and Spatial Multi-Omics analysis"
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11173572 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research aims to understand the tiny molecular details of mitral valve prolapse, a condition where heart valve leaflets thicken, by looking closely at patient samples.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $462,133 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL173271-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11173572 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is focused on understanding mitral valve prolapse, so patients with this condition, as well as healthy individuals, may be ideal candidates for contributing samples.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose conditions are not related to mitral valve prolapse or its underlying molecular mechanisms would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) causes heart valve leaflets to thicken, but we don't fully understand the specific molecular changes that start the disease. Current methods for studying gene activity in MVP haven't fully captured the differences between individual cells. This project will create a detailed map of the cells and molecules in mitral valve tissue from both MVP patients and healthy individuals. By using advanced single-cell and spatial technologies, we hope to uncover the precise molecular changes that lead to MVP.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a much deeper understanding of mitral valve prolapse, potentially paving the way for new ways to diagnose or treat the condition in the future.
How similar studies have gone: While bulk gene studies have been done, this approach uses novel single-cell and spatial technologies to provide a much more detailed and comprehensive view of the disease, which has not been widely applied to MVP research.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Yang — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Liu, Yang
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding mitral valve disease at the single-cell level
A patient-centered study will map the cells and molecular patterns in mitral valve disease to understand why MVP develops and how it progresses.
-
Understanding the molecular details of mitral valve disease
This study is looking at mitral valve prolapse (MVP) by exploring the tiny building blocks of the heart's mitral valve in both MVP patients and healthy people, to better understand what causes the condition and how it develops.
-
MRace Implant: A first look at fixing the mitral valve to reduce regurgitation
This single-arm study tests whether the MRace Implant and Delivery System can safely place a prosthesis to reduce severe mitral regurgitation in high-risk patients who may not be good candidates for open-heart surgery.
-
Mitral Valve Calcification Imaging with TrueVue 3D Light Rendering
This study tests how well three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography with TrueVue transillumination detects mitral valve calcifications compared with CT in adults.
-
Tracking progression and consequences of heart valve disease
This project will follow adults with moderate or worse valve disease to see if clinical tests and imaging can predict when their condition will get worse.
-
Surgical implantation of a polymer prosthetic mitral or aortic valve
This will test a surgically implanted polymer heart valve to see if it is safe and works well for adults who need mitral or aortic valve replacement.
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.