Using zebrafish to improve heart healing after injury

Leveraging zebrafish models to dissect and enhance heart regeneration

NIH-funded research Morgridge Institute for Research, INC. · NIH-11061934

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 IDNIH-11061934 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

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

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

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 performed: 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

Madison, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.