How Wnt pathway mutations affect hair cell regeneration in zebrafish
Official title: Wnt pathway mutations alter hair cell regeneration in the zebrafish fish lateral line
Funded at University of Missouri Kansas City · NIH-10871882 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain changes in genes affect zebrafish's ability to regrow important cells for hearing and balance, and it hopes to find clues that could help create treatments for hearing loss in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri Kansas City NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | July 11, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $195,625 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM146690-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10871882 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for potential benefit from this research are individuals experiencing hearing loss or balance disorders, particularly those caused by hair cell damage.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with permanent hearing loss due to irreversible damage to hair cells in mammals may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how mutations in the Wnt signaling pathway influence the ability of zebrafish to regenerate hair cells, which are crucial for hearing and balance. By studying zebrafish, which can regenerate these cells, the research aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms that allow for this regeneration. The approach involves genetic manipulation and pharmacological techniques to observe changes in cell proliferation and differentiation. Insights gained from this study could provide valuable information for developing therapies for hearing loss in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for hearing loss and balance disorders by enhancing our understanding of hair cell regeneration.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using zebrafish models to study hair cell regeneration, indicating that this approach is promising and has been validated in similar contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcgraw, Hillary Faye — University of Missouri Kansas City
- Study coordinator: Mcgraw, Hillary Faye
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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.