According to a new study, scientists have uncovered a single master gene that programs ear hair
cells into either outer or inner ones, overcoming a major hurdle that had prevented the
development of these cells to restore hearing.
‘We have overcome a major hurdle’ to restore hearing, investigators say.
- Gene discovery allows the production of inner or outer ear hair cells
- Death of outer hair cells due to aging or noise cause most hearing loss
- Master gene switch turns on ear hair cell development
But Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered a single master gene that programs ear hair cells into either outer or inner ones, overcoming a major hurdle that had previously prevented the development of these cells to restore hearing, according to new research published today (May 4, 2022) in the journal Nature.
“Our finding gives us the first clear cell switch to make one type versus the other,” said lead study author Jaime García-Añoveros, PhD, professor of Anesthesiology and Neuroscience and in the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology. “It will provide a previously unavailable tool to make an inner or outer hair cell. We have overcome a major hurdle.”
About 8.5% of adults aged 55 to 64 in the U.S. have disabling hearing loss. That increases to nearly 25% of those aged 65 to 74 and 50% of those who are 75 and older, reports the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). READ MORE...