Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Delaware received a $395,382 Project Grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837), awarded July 15, 2026, with completion scheduled for March 31, 2031. This research project investigates the mechanistic role of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in obesity-induced endothelial dysfunction, a major precursor to cardiovascular disease development. The funded research will examine how VAT impairs endothelial Kir2.1 channels—critical mediators of blood vessel dilation—through a novel VAT-CD36-Kir2.1 signaling axis, with particular focus on the role of CD36 (a fatty acid receptor) in endothelial cell dysfunction.

The deliverables under this award comprise hypothesis-driven basic and translational research outputs, including molecular and cellular investigations using mouse and human tissue models to decipher the signaling mechanisms linking VAT expansion to endothelial dysfunction. Research findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations, with the ultimate objective of identifying therapeutic avenues to prevent cardiovascular disease in obese populations. The work addresses a critical public health need: obesity-related cardiovascular deaths have more than tripled in the United States over the past two decades, making mechanistic understanding of obesity-induced vascular dysfunction essential for developing targeted interventions.