Understanding how hair cells in the inner ear repair themselves
Official title: Mechanosensor Proteins in Hair Cell Repair
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-10873323 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tiny hair cells in your inner ear can heal themselves after being damaged by things like loud noises or aging, and it’s for anyone interested in improving hearing health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $465,409 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC021176-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10873323 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing hearing loss due to aging, noise exposure, or ototoxic drug effects.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with congenital hearing loss or those whose hearing loss is not related to hair cell damage may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which sensory hair cells in the inner ear repair damage caused by factors like noise, aging, and drugs. The focus is on the actin filaments that form the structural core of hair cells, which are crucial for hearing. By studying how these filaments sense and respond to mechanical stress, the research aims to uncover the molecular processes involved in their repair. This could lead to new strategies for enhancing hair cell maintenance and function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for hearing loss by enhancing the repair mechanisms of hair cells.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding hair cell repair mechanisms, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shin, Jung-Bum — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Shin, Jung-Bum
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.