MUSC Children's Hospital - October 2008 Newsletter

We're all about children!

October 2008

Children's Research Institute News Brief

Can stem cells help fix "broken" hearts?

In response to a recent "call" put out by the National Institutes of Health for research using stem cells to repair "broken" hearts, researcher Rob Gourdie has put together a team of experts within MUSC's Department of Cell Biology.

"We're looking at the role of stem cells in the heart's response to injury, such as might occur during surgery or disease," explains Dr. Gourdie, who is principal investigator of the proposed study.

The NIH is establishing programs around the country to collaborate on this focused application of stem cells and determine whether it's possible, he explains.

"Many scientists think stem cells have great potential, but don't know if they can be an effective clinical tool," notes Dr. Goudie, whose focus is developmental biology/regenerative disease. "The idea of the new NIH program is to look at basic science in cell biology and see where stem cells can be used safely, and with efficacy, in conditions that include heart attacks and congenital heart problems."

Its possible stem cells could be used to generate healthy muscle tissue and thereby limit scarring, a major complication of surgery.

"This has the potential to improve on a surgeon's options when treating malformed congenital heart problems such as those that occur in children," continues Dr. Gourdie.

Many of the genes involved in embryo development are also involved in the repair and degenerative process.

"We are hoping to learn the 'tricks' nature uses to regenerate structures and tissues that have been lost or damaged by disease or congenital malformation," adds Dr. Gourdie.

Collaborating with the Clemson MUSC Bioengineering Program and USC Medical School, the team hopes to be one of 25 to win a $25,000 grant to put together a proposal for a larger grant.

"This is an unusual NIH grant," explains Dr. Gourdie. "We're vying for one of 25 spots at this point, and then hopefully will go on to become one of the final six to 12 groups chosen to be part of this study.

Highly competitive, the grant also features a strong collaborative aspect.

"Once we get past the starting gate, though, the game will change - we will have to pitch why we're good and establish the types of cooperative relationships that the NIH is looking for," says Dr. Gourdie. "It's a grant that's designed to bring groups together, to determine who works best together."

He and his team are confident the NIH will be looking for large programs like those at MUSC that actively collaborating with large, viable programs at other institutions.

"We've written an exciting, compelling professional proposal," he says.

	Inderjit Singh, PhD Scientific Director Darby Children's Research Inst.
	Bernard L. Maria, MD, MBA Executive Director Darby Children's Research Inst.