Join in person in BCC 101 or via Zoom at https://usc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAqdOmvrDwiHdZyplxWIV0xNNCRq_5LNYNp

Mammals are unable to regenerate the sensory hair cells of the inner ear, and loss of these cells due to aging, noise exposure and ototoxic drugs can cause irreversible deficits in hearing and balance.  We and others have shown that activation of hair cell transcription factors in supporting cells of the inner ear can reprogram these cells to a hair cell-like state. However, these new hair cells are not fully functional. I will describe a variety of approaches to try and overcome the barriers to faithful hair cell reprogramming in the ear, and how different approaches may be required for different kinds of damage to the ear.

Host: Andy McMahon