This suggests that birds maintain a precise program for hair cell regeneration that preserves frequency-specific nerve connections, which is an important aspect of proper functional recovery.
Cochlear Organoids Reveal How Supporting Cells Differentiate Into Hair Cells
These details gleaned from this regenerative process in the mouse organoid provides insights into how mammalian supporting cells could be reprogrammed into hair cells.
Mathematical Analysis of Zebrafish Cell Shape Shows Connection With Cell Function
Our results demonstrate the utility of using 3D cell shape features to characterize, compare, and classify cells in a living, developing organism.
Combination of Four Genes May Help Regrow New Auditory Hair Cells in Mammals
Two months after treatment, we saw that some GAPS-treated guinea pigs had a statistically significant increase in new hair cell-like cells compared with controls. Future steps will be to investigate the origin as well as the function of these hair cell-like cells.
Driven by Data and Collaboration
The collaborative spirit of our Hearing Restoration Project consortium is especially evident as we work together to complete a publication describing our analysis of hair cell gene expression.
Scientists Discover Repair Process That Fixes Damaged Hair Cells
The hair cells deploy a protein called XIRP2, which can sense damage to the cores that are made of a substance called actin. The researchers found that XIRP2 first senses damage, then migrates to the damage site and repairs the cores by filling in new actin.
HHF Is 65 This Year!
More funding and more time leads to more ambitious experimental plans, additional data collected, and a stronger footing for subsequent research and research funding.
A Boost to Inner Ear Organoid Development
This paper explored the potential of the stem cell-derived inner ear organoid system for studying early mammalian placode development. The results will benefit future inner ear organoid applications, such as high-throughput drug screening and cell therapy.
Drug-Like Molecules Regenerate Hair Cell-Like Cells in Adult Mice
“Think about a brake when driving a car,” Chen explains. “If the brake is always engaged, you can’t drive. We found an siRNA that could remove the brake in this genetic pathway.”
Highlights From the Hearing Restoration Project
Here are highlights of recent accomplishments, including demonstrating that a cocktail of three factors can promote conversion of nonsensory cells into hair cells in the mouse model.