Developing magnetic nanoparticles to deliver drugs for hearing loss treatment
Official title: Rational Design of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Cochlear Drug Delivery
Funded at University of Cincinnati · NIH-10890876 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to use tiny magnetic particles to deliver medicine directly to the inner ear, which could help improve treatments for hearing loss, making it easier and safer for patients to get the care they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $200,506 |
| NIH project number | 5K08DC020780-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10890876 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing sensorineural hearing loss who may benefit from advanced drug therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conductive hearing loss or those who do not have access to the required therapeutic agents may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating magnetic nanoparticles that can effectively deliver drugs directly to the inner ear to treat hearing loss. The approach involves using these nanoparticles, which can be guided by magnetic fields, to transport therapeutic agents like proteins and DNA across the round window membrane into the cochlea. By improving drug delivery methods, this research aims to enhance the effectiveness of emerging treatments for various forms of sensorineural hearing loss. Patients may benefit from a minimally invasive and repeatable treatment option that could lead to better outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective method for delivering treatments for hearing loss directly to the inner ear.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using nanoparticles for drug delivery in other medical applications, suggesting potential success in this novel approach for hearing loss.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Daniel Q — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Sun, Daniel Q
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.