Investigation of the molecular mechanisms of hearing loss
Project type
PhD
| Supervisor(s) | Division | |
| (Primary) | Molecular Medicine | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) |
Dr Marina Carpinelli (Co-supervisor) |
Molecular Medicine | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) |
Details of project
Position: PhD Studentship within the Division of Molecular Medicine, as a member of the Hearing Co-operative Research Centre
Age-related hearing loss is an increasing problem in the community. Despite the prevalence of this condition, very little is understood about the molecular basis of the disorder. Hearing loss is often characterised by death of specialised cells within the ear. We know that a particular biochemical pathway of programmed cell death, termed the “intrinsic pathway of apoptosis” mediates this process. This pathway is exquisitely complex in that there are several families of genes/proteins that regulate the pathway at different times and in different cell types. We don’t understand how this pathway is regulated in the cells of the ear.
The objective of this project is to use mouse genetics to better define the regulation of cell death during hearing loss. The project will involve characterising the hearing of a panel of knockout mice, each lacking one of the pro-death or pro-survival molecules. This will provide insight into the molecular regulation of cell death in the ear. In the long-term, we hope to use this information to design drugs that will block the process of cell death in the ear and so protect against hearing loss.
Project references
- Biomolecular solutions for hearing loss
- Genomic and molecular therapeutic approaches to environmental and age-related hearing loss (Hearing CRC project)
Research interests
Better understanding of age-related (presbycusic) or acquired hearing loss will enable us to identify individuals most at risk, and to design commercial diagnostic tools for this purpose. Projects are also aimed at identifying molecules that may be targeted by drugs for the prevention or treatment of hearing loss.
Research theme
Chronic inflammatory diseases
Scientific discipline
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Keywords
Apoptosis, Deafness, Hearing