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Garvan Institute

Sections
 

Hearing

 

Our research strives to understand the mechanisms of hearing from the inner ear to the brain. In the inner ear, the degeneration of hearing receptors (hair cells) leads to many forms of hearing loss. We are investigating whether adult stem cells from sensory organs (olfactory, vestibular, taste) can replace the damaged hair cells. Microsurgical techniques have recently been developed with ear surgeons to transplant the stem cells into the inner ear of deaf mice. Specialised hearing tests will determine if transplantation results in functional recovery of hearing. Our animal studies are currently being extended to examine whether human adult olfactory stem cells can also act as a source of new hair cells. In the brain, deafness can modify specialised synaptic connections between nerve cells. An international collaboration is underway to determine the anatomy and physiology of this synaptic plasticity.

Staff

Jeremy SullivanSenior Research Officer
Dr Jeremy Sullivan
Sonali PanditMSurg Student
Dr Sonali Pandit
Ana MastiloVisiting Student
Ms Ana Mastilo






News

 

Glimpse the future of medical research at Garvan Open Day

MEDIA RELEASE: 18 Jul 2008
Garvan will open its doors on Sunday 17th August from 10am to 1pm for Open Day, giving the public the opportunity to meet and talk with leading scientists and learn about the future of science and medicine from some of the sharpest minds in Australia.
 
 

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