How hearing cells and nerves develop in the inner ear
Functional development of hair cells and neurons in the inner ear
This project explores how the tiny hearing cells and nerves in the ear grow and connect, and if gene therapy can fix problems that cause hearing loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10987011 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our ears have special 'hair cells' that convert sound into signals for our brain. These cells and the nerves they connect to grow and mature both before and after birth, and any issues during this crucial time can affect hearing. This project uses advanced methods in mouse models to understand how problems with these cells impact their function, their connections to nerves, and the development of different nerve types. We also want to see if gene therapy can help reverse these changes and restore normal hearing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who might benefit from this research in the future include those with hearing loss caused by problems with inner ear hair cell and nerve development.
Not a fit: Patients whose hearing loss is not related to inner ear hair cell or nerve development may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new gene therapies that restore hearing function in individuals with certain types of hearing loss.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown that disruptions in hair cell function affect nerve development, but testing gene therapy to reverse these changes is a key novel aspect of this project.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Geleoc, Gwenaelle S — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Geleoc, Gwenaelle S
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.