How CHD4 helps hair cells in the ear stay healthy
Official title: Epigenetic mechanisms of cochlear damage and repair
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-11397631 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how a CHD4 protein helps hair cells in the ear keep their identity and survive, with the hope of guiding new treatments for hearing loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $634,818 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC022483-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397631 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with hearing loss related to CHD4 mutations or similar cochlear disorders may benefit from future therapies arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Direct benefits may be limited to future therapies after further development and clinical testing.
What this research studies
Researchers will study what happens to hair cells in the ear when CHD4 is removed, looking at changes in gene regulation and cell identity. They will also explore whether activating Wnt signaling changes how supporting cells react at the genetic level, and whether CHD4 loss affects DNAmarks to influence which cells become hair cells. The work uses cochlear cells and animal/cell models to uncover mechanisms of hair cell maintenance and potential regeneration. Findings could point to new approaches for hearing loss related to CHD4 mutations or similar conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A deeper understanding of how hair cells are kept healthy could lead to new strategies to prevent or repair hearing loss.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research shows that CHD4 and chromatin remodeling influence hair cell health, suggesting this approach has a credible path forward.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kwan, Kelvin Y. — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Kwan, Kelvin Y.
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.