Grant: Operating Grant

Hearing disorders affect two in 1000 newborns and yet the molecular underpinnings of hearing are poorly understood. Hearing loss increases with age, eventually affecting 40% of adults over 75. Hearing loss and vestibular disorders are usually caused by the loss of the sensory receptor cells, called hair cells, located in the inner ear. Hair cells can be damaged due to disease, noise exposure (including cell phones) or drug toxicity. Hair cell death is irreversible and leads to permanent hearing loss. We will tackle these important health issues by discovering genes that contribute to auditory function and finding ways to preserve and regenerate hair cells. This includes a combination of physiological and molecular approaches using mice and zebrafish to find the genes that are essential for converting sound and head movements into electrical potentials as well as screening gene targets for their ability to promote hair cell regeneration. Our findings will enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of auditory and vestibular disorders, a critical step toward developing successful therapies. Results from this research will contribute to the health of Canadians through the discovery of ways to regenerate inner ear sensory cells.