Release date: 2007-06-26
Scientists find new ways to treat deafness Researchers at Virginia Health Systems University published an article in the electronic version of Gene Therapy on the 14th that they found a way to transfer genes into human inner ear lesions. The research team led by Dr. Jeffrey Hart, associate professor of neuroscience and otolaryngology, has focused on a gene called KCNQ4 that, if mutated, causes deafness. They created a gene therapy transport system that successfully introduced the genetically engineered KCNQ4 gene into human hair cells from the inner ear of a hearing impaired patient. “The results of the trial showed that the introduced genes played a role in human inner ear tissue, and I am very optimistic about the prospects of gene therapy for deafness,†said Hart.
The hair cells are arranged in the cochlea and have hair-like protrusions. For normal people, hair cells convert sound into electrical signals that are ultimately passed to the brain. For people with hearing impairment, their hair cells are either too small, damaged, or even completely lost.
In her previous research, Hauer has revealed the growth rate of hair cells in mouse embryos, which led researchers to learn how to regenerate hair cells. Coupled with the current findings, Hao Te's research team will be able to restore the auditory function of damaged hair cells one day. “This is a crucial step. We hope that this achievement will promote research in the field of hearing and deafness and achieve the goal of eradicating congenital or acquired deafness as soon as possible.â€
Unimedsume Trading Co., Ltd , https://www.ums-labmed.com