This project aims to better understand how genes and proteins involved in normal processes within the ear are also involved in the complex process of hearing-loss. We are drawing on genetic, genomic, proteomic and computational tools to place individual genes into regulatory pathways implicated in hearing loss. Using this information, our long-term goal is to identify molecules that can be targeted to prevent and/or treat hearing loss.

To achieve this aim, we are utilising a range of experimental approaches, with an emphasis on functional screens in whole animals using ENU mutagenesis. State of the art equipment is being used to great effect in our screens and in characterizing hearing in existing models of cell death. We are committed to translating our findings to the clinic and have major collaborations aimed at finding small molecule inhibitors of apoptosis.