# Targeted delivery of nanomedicines to the coronary microvasculature during ex vivo normothermic perfusion of marginal human hearts

> **NIH NIH K08** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $162,105

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
This proposal details Dr. John Stendahl’s research and training plan for a Mentored Clinical Scientist Research
Career Development Award. Dr. Stendahl’s research focuses on the shortage of donor hearts available for
transplantation. He proposes to address this issue by utilizing ex vivo normothermic machine perfusion in the
pretransplant setting as a platform to assess marginal donor hearts and treat them with vascular-targeted
nanomedicines. This work is based on the hypothesis that achieving clinically significant delivery of
nanomedicines in ex vivo donor hearts requires: a) restoration of microvascular perfusion following the insult of
cold ischemia, and b) robust methods of nanoparticle targeting. The first aim of the proposal is to optimize
microvascular blood flow in hearts undergoing ex vivo normothermic machine perfusion. The plan to accomplish
this involves evaluation of the microvasculature with microscopy and multimodal cardiac imaging, and the
application of pharmacologic treatments to restore flow. The second aim is to engineer vascular-targeted
nanoparticles for delivery to human hearts during ex vivo normothermic machine perfusion. This involves potent
new methods of nanoparticle targeting and further application of diagnostic imaging to assess nanoparticle
delivery. Successful completion of these aims will provide powerful, clinically adaptable technologies to improve
donor heart preservation and achieve more efficient usage of marginal organs.
Dr. Stendahl is an instructor in the Yale School of Medicine’s Section of Cardiovascular Medicine and recently
completed fellowship training in Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging. His proposed research builds upon his
backgrounds in bioengineering, organ transplantation, and cardiac imaging. He is supported by an outstanding
mentorship team consisting of Albert Sinusas, MD, an expert in multimodal cardiac imaging, and Gregory Tietjen,
PhD, an expert in targeted nanoparticle delivery and machine perfusion of organs. The proposed work leverages
outstanding facilities at the Yale School of Medicine, including state-of-the-art medical imaging equipment. Dr.
Stendahl’s structured training plan for scientific and professional development includes lectures, coursework in
science and ethics, personal meetings with mentors and consultants, and attendance at national meetings
related to cardiac imaging, therapeutic delivery, and organ transplantation. He plans to utilize the knowledge and
data gained during the mentored training period to generate applications for independent research funding. In
summary, this proposal outlines Dr. Stendahl’s plan for scientific investigation and describes the mentoring and
institutional support that is present to foster his development and prepare him for a successful career as an
independent investigator.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10371280
- **Project number:** 1K08HL155888-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** John C Stendahl
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $162,105
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-01-01 → 2026-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10371280

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10371280, Targeted delivery of nanomedicines to the coronary microvasculature during ex vivo normothermic perfusion of marginal human hearts (1K08HL155888-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10371280. Licensed CC0.

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