Cnidarian hair-cell-like system reveals METC targeting in nematocytes
Official title: The Cnidarian Nematocyte as a Model of Vertebrate Hair Cells: Molecular targeting of the METC
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11441590 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small-scale NIH grant studies how a simple sea-creature’s sting cells may share key parts with human ear hair cells to understand how sound and movement are turned into signals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 24, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $451,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DC023990-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11441590 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a patient-facing trial; not applicable to specific patient groups.
✕Less likely to help
The grant itself does not recruit patients or provide direct patient care.
What this research studies
This project uses the sea anemone's stinging cells to model the molecular components of the vertebrate hair cell’s mechanotransduction complex. By combining morphology, pharmacology, bioinformatics, and genetics, researchers aim to map the cnidarian METC and its role in mechanical firing. The work addresses a gap caused by limited vertebrate METC material and the difficulty of reconstituting the complex in vitro. If successful, the study could illuminate conserved mechanisms that underlie hearing and balance across species.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could advance our understanding of how hair cells function, potentially guiding future therapies for hearing and balance disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests cnidarians share ancestral features with vertebrate hair cells, supporting the premise of conservation in MET components.
Where this research is happening
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University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perozo, Eduardo a — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Perozo, Eduardo a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.