How Wnt pathway mutations affect hair cell regeneration in zebrafish

Wnt pathway mutations alter hair cell regeneration in the zebrafish fish lateral line

NIH-funded research University of Missouri Kansas City · NIH-10871882

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Missouri Kansas City NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Kansas City, United States)
Project IDNIH-10871882 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for potential benefit from this research are individuals experiencing hearing loss or balance disorders, particularly those caused by hair cell damage.

Not a fit: Patients with permanent hearing loss due to irreversible damage to hair cells in mammals may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Kansas City, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.