Mapping the cellular structure of the human inner ear
Human Ear Cellular Atlas
This study is looking at the tiny cells in the inner ear to learn more about hearing and balance problems, using samples from organ donors and patients with a specific type of tumor, to help find better treatments for these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10900455 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to better understand hearing and balance disorders by analyzing the cellular makeup of the human inner ear. It involves collecting live inner ear tissues from deceased organ donors and patients with vestibular schwannoma to create a detailed cellular atlas. The project will utilize advanced techniques, including single-cell transcriptomics and 3D imaging, to characterize the normal and diseased states of inner ear tissues. By doing so, it seeks to bridge the gap between animal models and human conditions, ultimately paving the way for new therapeutic approaches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include individuals with hearing or balance disorders, particularly those who are 21 years or older.
Not a fit: Patients with congenital hearing loss or those who do not have access to the required tissue samples may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of effective treatments for hearing and balance disorders that currently lack pharmacological options.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been successful studies using animal models to explore therapies for hearing disorders, this research is novel in its focus on human inner ear tissues.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheng, Alan Gi-Lun — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Cheng, Alan Gi-Lun
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.