Understanding why transplanted hearts fail over time
Official title: Defining cellular mechanisms of chronic graft failure in transplanted hearts with single cell multi-omics
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-11060859 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how heart transplants can sometimes fail over time, especially when the heart muscle gets too thick, and it aims to understand the different types of cells involved in this process to help improve the health and longevity of transplanted hearts for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | April 20, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $374,875 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL160552-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11060859 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have undergone heart transplantation and are experiencing or at risk for chronic graft failure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not received a heart transplant or those with acute heart failure may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the cellular mechanisms behind chronic graft failure in transplanted hearts, particularly focusing on cardiac allograft hypertrophy (CAH). By utilizing advanced single cell multi-omics sequencing technology, the study aims to analyze various cell types and their interactions within the heart tissue. The approach includes distinguishing between donor and host cells to better understand their roles in the development of CAH. This comprehensive analysis could reveal critical insights into the cellular changes that lead to graft failure, ultimately aiming to improve long-term outcomes for heart transplant patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing chronic graft failure in heart transplant patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using multi-omics approaches to understand complex diseases, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gao, Ruli — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Gao, Ruli
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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.