Project Name: "Identification and analysis of inner ear stem cell genes"

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Zheng-Yi Chen, D. Phil. / Albert Edge, Ph.D.

"Identification and analysis of inner ear stem cell genes"

The major research focus of our laboratories is on hair cell regeneration. Mammalian inner ear hair cells do not regenerate. As a consequence of damage to hair cells, and lack of available treatment, deafness and balance disorders are permanent in general. In lower vertebrate such as chick and fish, however, inner ear hair cells are regenerated by cell cycle re-entry of supporting cells/progenitor cells, and by transdifferentiation from supporting cells to hair cells. One approach to regenerating mammalian hair cells would be to activate endogenous inner ear stem cells by manipulation of genes involved in cell cycle or fate determination. However, no inner ear stem cells (IESC) genes have been identified, severely limiting the use of IESC as a source for hair cell regeneration. In these studies we will identify genes that are critical for IESC self-renewal and differentiation to hair cells.

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other current CFAR grant recipients:

Karen A. Doherty, Ph.D.

Avril Genene Holt, Ph.D.

Deron Herr, Ph.D.

Monika Kordus, Ph.D.

Lisa Goodrich, Ph.D.

Stem cell genes have potential to enable inner ear sensory epithelial cells to re-enter cell cycle, with implication in hair cell regeneration. Top panel on left. By activating a potent stem cell gene (Oct4+) in the mouse utricle, many sensory epithelial cells (SE) re-enter cell cycle, shown by BrdU labeling (green). Bottom panel on left: In control mouse utricle in which Oct4 is not activated (Oct4-), no proliferating sensory epithelial cells were observed. Activation of Oct4 in the inner ear may offer a possibility to induce proliferation and hair cell regeneration. Myo6 labels hair cells (red) in both panels.