NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Using zebrafish to improve heart healing after injury

Official title: Leveraging zebrafish models to dissect and enhance heart regeneration

Funded at Morgridge Institute for Research, INC. · NIH-11061934 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how zebrafish can heal their hearts after injury, which could help us find new ways to help people with heart problems heal better and recover from heart failure.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMorgridge Institute for Research, INC.
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Madison, United States)
Project startMay 15, 2020
Project endApril 30, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$1,079,264
NIH project number5R35HL150713-07
Project IDNIH-11061934 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from heart conditions such as heart failure or those who have experienced a cardiac injury.

Less likely to help

Patients with non-cardiac related health issues or those who do not have heart injuries may not receive any benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how zebrafish can regenerate heart tissue after injury, a process that is limited in humans. By studying the molecular mechanisms that allow zebrafish to create new heart cells with minimal scarring, researchers aim to develop new strategies to enhance heart regeneration in humans. The project involves innovative techniques such as factor delivery and gene regulation to stimulate heart healing in mammals. Patients may benefit from insights gained that could lead to new treatments for heart failure and cardiac injuries.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to groundbreaking treatments that enhance heart regeneration in patients with heart injuries or heart failure.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using zebrafish models for understanding heart regeneration, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

  • Morgridge Institute for Research, INC.
    Madison, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Poss, Kenneth D — Morgridge Institute for Research, INC.
  • Study coordinator: Poss, Kenneth D

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.