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Genetic Screening and Resistance to environmental and age-related hearing loss
Background
Genetic factors have been shown to play a significant role in hearing loss. Genetic abnormalities are strongly associated with congenital deafness and twin studies have also suggested that genetic factors play an important role in adult and late onset deafness (presbycusis).
Although significant progress has been made in the area of deafness research over the last 15 years, relatively little is known about the molecular and cellular basis of hearing loss in humans, especially about the genetic factors associated with early onset presbycusis or in modulating the impact of environmental factors on hearing.
Model systems have enabled identification of genes for deafness as well as a providing a basis for studies of auditory processes and clinical features of genetic deafness. Having well-characterised and accurate models for human genetic hearing loss is a prerequisite for the development of novel treatments and for studying the relationship between environmental and genetic factors in environmental and age-related hearing impairment.
Detail
This project aims to:
1. Conduct genome-wide screens (using ENU mutagenesis) to identify mouse models with congenital or progressive age-related hearing loss
2. Investigate the genetic causes of the hearing losses with the aim of identifying novel genes and molecular pathways that ameliorate or protect against genetic and/or environmentally induced hearing loss and presbycusis
3. Develop drug based treatments for genetic and/or environmentally induced hearing loss and presbycusis.
Using ENU induced models in combination with information from humans with hearing loss, we will gain further understanding the molecular pathways affecting hearing loss and retention. Taking a genome-wide approach to define key molecular networks will allow us to identify targets for pharmaceutical intervention in environmentally-induced hearing loss and presbycusis.
Work will focus on the development of therapeutics for environmentally induced hearing loss and presbycusis using these targets. Depending on the nature of the target, small molecule or protein-based antagonists will be identified. Collaborations with the biotechnology and/or pharmaceutical sector will enable assessment of these leads in preclinical and clinical tests. The project will also identify genetic risk factors associated with increased susceptibility to environmentally-induced hearing loss.
Project leadership
![[title]](http://www.hearingcrc.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/profile_260/content/people/profile-dahl.jpg "A/Prof Henrik Dahl")
Project Team
Kerry Fowler, Wendy Hutchison, Jessica Cardwell, Louise Williams, Shehnaaz Manji, Stephen Mercer, Melissa Arnold
Organisations involved
Publications from this Project
No publications available for this project at this time.