Exploring ways to regenerate hair cells to restore hearing
Official title: Avian-inspired Regenerative Therapies for Hearing Loss
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11045082 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to help the ear heal itself by figuring out how to make certain cells in the ear grow back the tiny hair cells that are important for hearing, and it could lead to new treatments for people who have lost their hearing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $193,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DC021755-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045082 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who have experienced acute or chronic hearing loss due to damage to their auditory hair cells.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with hearing loss not caused by damage to auditory hair cells or those with other unrelated auditory conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to stimulate the regeneration of auditory hair cells in mammals, which are crucial for hearing. By analyzing the genetic and epigenetic profiles of supporting cells in the auditory system, the project aims to understand why these cells cannot regenerate hair cells and how to induce this process. The researchers will compare data from mammals and chickens to develop targeted therapies that could help restore hearing after damage. This approach involves advanced techniques like single-cell sequencing to identify key molecular factors involved in cell regeneration.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to groundbreaking therapies that restore hearing in individuals with hearing loss.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of inducing hair cell regeneration in mammals is novel, similar strategies have shown promise in non-mammalian species, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Benkafadar, Nesrine — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Benkafadar, Nesrine
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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.