Investigating how vestibular hair cells regenerate and function
Official title: Vestibular Hair Cells
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11140374 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to help the body replace important balance cells in the inner ear, which could lead to new treatments for people who have trouble with their balance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $644,249 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC022147-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11140374 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who experience vestibular deficits due to hair cell degeneration or injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with vestibular deficits not related to hair cell loss or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the regeneration of vestibular hair cells (HCs), which are crucial for balance and spatial orientation. It explores the differences between type I and type II vestibular HCs, particularly how type I HCs can be replaced and what molecular mechanisms govern their development and maintenance. By using advanced techniques like conditional knockout, the research aims to uncover how to stimulate functional regeneration of these cells in adults, potentially restoring balance functions. The findings could lead to new therapeutic strategies for patients suffering from vestibular deficits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that restore balance and reduce debilitating symptoms for patients with vestibular disorders.
How similar studies have gone: While the regeneration of vestibular hair cells has been observed in some animal models, this specific approach to understanding the mechanisms in adult mammals is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stone, Jennifer S. — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Stone, Jennifer S.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Making genetic testing more accessible to the public
This study is all about making it easier for people at risk of certain cancers, like breast, ovarian, and colon cancers, to get genetic testing, so we can find out what helps them access these important services and understand how they can benefit from them.
-
Breast cancer diagnosis in low-resource settings using millifluidics and fast digital imaging in Ghana
A new project will test a fast, low-cost way to diagnose breast cancer at the point of care in Ghana using small-batch fluidics and direct digital imaging.
-
Binaural Hearing and Speech in Noise in Children
This project explores how children hear speech in noisy classrooms using how the two ears work together to see if binaural processing differences explain why some kids struggle more than others.
-
Neural circuits that control pain aversion in the brain
Researchers are exploring how a specific brain area helps people feel and avoid pain, with potential to lead to better pain treatments.
-
United World Antiviral Research Network (UWARN)
A collaborative, international effort is testing new virus surveillance and evolution ideas to help people living with HIV and communities in LMICs stay safer from current and emerging viruses.
-
HF endotypes in heart failure using ethical multi-modal AI and molecular data
A patient-friendly project that uses advanced AI and multiple kinds of health data to identify distinct heart failure subtypes that could guide personalized care.
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.