How changes in the ZNF175 gene may cause adult hearing loss
Pathogenic mechanisms of adult hearing loss caused by Zfp719 mutations
The team will look at whether changes in the ZNF175 gene help cause hearing loss in adults and use that information to improve diagnosis and future treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11161625 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks for rare ZNF175 gene changes in adults with unexplained hearing loss using DNA from a hospital biobank. Researchers will combine those human genetic findings with lab studies in mice (where the gene is called Zfp719) to see how the gene affects inner ear cells, nerve connections, and hearing. The goal is to connect specific gene changes to the ear problems they cause. If those links are found, the work could help doctors diagnose adult-onset hearing loss and point to possible targets for treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults with unexplained sensorineural hearing loss, especially those willing to provide genetic samples or who are enrolled in a hospital biobank.
Not a fit: People whose hearing loss is clearly caused by non-genetic factors like middle-ear disease or noise/trauma, or who already have a known genetic diagnosis unrelated to ZNF175, may not receive direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable genetic testing for a new cause of adult hearing loss and guide development of treatments to protect or restore hearing.
How similar studies have performed: Similar gene-discovery and mouse-model approaches have successfully linked other genes to hearing loss, but ZNF175/Zfp719 is newly identified so testing its role is novel.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Epstein, Douglas J — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Epstein, Douglas J
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 below.