Hearing
Our research strives to understand the mechanisms of hearing from
the inner ear to the brain. In the inner ear, the degeneration of
hearing receptors (hair cells) leads to many forms of hearing loss. We
are investigating whether adult stem cells from sensory organs
(olfactory, vestibular, taste) can replace the damaged hair cells.
Microsurgical techniques have recently been developed with ear surgeons
to transplant the stem cells into the inner ear of deaf mice.
Specialised hearing tests will determine if transplantation results in
functional recovery of hearing. Our animal studies are currently being
extended to examine whether human adult olfactory stem cells can also
act as a source of new hair cells. In the brain, deafness can modify
specialised synaptic connections between nerve cells. An international
collaboration is underway to determine the anatomy and physiology of
this synaptic plasticity.
Staff
Dr Jeremy Sullivan |
Dr Sonali Pandit |
Ms Ana Mastilo |
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