Home Department: Human Biology
Mentor: Stefan Heller, Otolaryngology (Head & Neck Surgery)

“Cell Heterogenity Within the Murine Inner Ear”

Although hearing loss in humans is, in most cases, permanent, avian species are able to regenerate cells in their inner ear that are responsible for hearing, allowing for recovery from damage. Currently, the mechanism by which this is achieved is poorly understood. John’s project seeks to identify cellular markers capable of identifying cells that originated in the ear. Identification of these markers will aid in analysis of the cells involved in the regeneration pathway, with the aim of reproducing auditory recovery in the human ear.