Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center received a $1.62M project grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837), awarded September 25, 2025, with completion targeted for June 30, 2027. This research initiative will conduct comprehensive metabolomic and genomic analysis to identify biological pathways linking metabolic dysfunction and ectopic adiposity to cardiac dysfunction and heart failure development. The project will measure approximately 1,000 serum metabolites while leveraging existing whole exome sequencing (WES) data, advanced cardiovascular phenotyping through serial cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and rest-exercise echocardiography, and MRI-based quantification of total and regional adipose tissue within the multiethnic Dallas Heart Study cohort.

The research aims to characterize novel metabolic signatures associated with specific ectopic fat depots relevant to heart failure pathobiology and to identify biological mediators underlying social determinants of health (SDOH) impacts on cardiovascular disease risk and resilience in diverse populations. By establishing causal relationships between circulating metabolites and cardiac dysfunction, this project will generate discovery-based findings intended to support development of new prevention and intervention targets, particularly for Black and Hispanic populations disproportionately affected by metabolic dysfunction and heart failure risk.