Our results suggest that mature cochlear supporting cells can be reprogrammed into sensory hair cells, providing a possible target for hair cell regeneration in mammals.
A New Mouse Model for Hearing Loss
A challenge in studying hair cell regeneration has been creating consistent and reliable ways to damage hair cells in laboratory mice. Overcoming this limitation, we developed a more uniform and effective method for hair cell death using the surgical delivery of a sisomicin antibiotic solution directly into the mouse inner ear.
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.
Protocols for Preparing Mouse Balance Organs for Research
One challenge in studying vestibular organs is their location within the bony inner ear and their small size, especially in mice, which have become an advantageous mammalian model.
Hope for Treatments Against Hearing Loss as 10 New Genes Identified
Researchers argue that the stria vascularis, a part of the cochlea in the ear, is a new target for treatments to help people with hearing loss.
The Role of Spontaneous Electrical Activity in the Developing Auditory System
Specific ion currents have been identified as major players supporting this electrical activity in developing and regenerating chick hair cells. This research details the role of small-conductance, calcium-ion-activated potassium channels (SK) in developing and regenerating chick hair cells.
Novel Small Molecule Promotes Synaptic Regeneration In Vitro
This work furthers the development of an effective drug delivery platform for the inner ear that uses the cochlear bone as a depot for prolonged neurotrophic stimulation of spiral ganglion neurons. Our method may bypass the pitfalls of systemic administration—increased risk of side effects and insufficient levels of drug delivery—and the dangers related to opening the cochlea.
USC Stem Cell Study Shows When to Quit “Yapping”
It turns out that to hear a person yapping, you need a protein called Yap. Working as part of what is known as the Yap/Tead complex, this important protein sends signals to the hearing organ to attain the correct size during embryonic development, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences (PNAS) from the USC Stem Cell laboratory of Neil Segil.