Thursday, November 21, 2024 11/21/2024

Experimental Theoretical Studies of Cochlear Mechanisms

Award Number: R01DC000238
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

Group Awards By:

View Award Abstract

Project Summary Based on its strategic location, the tectorial membrane (TM) has long been thought to play an essential role in hearing, but the important cochlear mechanisms remain unclear. We propose research to improve our understanding of the functional role of the TM in determining (1) the remarkable properties of normal hearing — including its exquisite sensitivity and frequency selectivity — as well as (2) the hearing loss associated with genetic mutations of the TM and other cochlear pathologies. Conventional models of cochlear mechanics represent the TM as a viscoelastic solid, and while the importance of both viscosity and elasticity is well established, these models do not account for the central role of water in this tissue. The TM is a gel: 97% water contained in a macromolecular matrix of proteins and sugar groups. Recent studies show that sound-induced motions of water through this macromolecular matrix plays a critical functional role in determining the timing of mechanical responses – and this timing is central to determining the frequency selectivity that is a hallmark of mammalian hearing. The proposed research will measure and characterize the important consequences of the gelatinous nature of the TM, i.e., its poroelastic properties. This work is organized in two related aims. The ﬁrst investigates mechanical consequences of poroelasticity. We have developed a technique based on atomic force microscopy to measure mechanical properties of the TM at the level of single hair bundles. We will apply this technique to characterize poroelasticity in TMs from normal-hearing rodents, as well as mice with genetic disorders of hearing. Our second aim focuses on the role of ions (especially calcium) that are dissolved in the liquid phase of the TM. The TM has been shown to concentrate calcium at levels well in excess of those in the surrounding endolymph. Changes in ionic concentrations have been shown to alter the electro-mechanical properties of the TM, and will thereby also aﬀect the closely apposed hair bundles of hair cells. The local concentration of calcium is known to aﬀect not only the sound-induced receptor potentials of hair cells, but also adaptation processes that are necessary to maintain the remarkable sensitivity of hearing. Results from these studies will increase our understanding of the cochlear mechanisms that underlie both normal and impaired hearing. This knowledge has important practical applications for the delineation of inner-ear disorders (and concomitant suggestions for treatment) and for the design of speech-processing devices such as cochlear implants, hearing aids, and speech-recognition systems.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $331,691 )
2025	2025	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	39	11/14/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$331,691
														Subtotal = $331,691

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $369,133 )
2024	2024	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	38	11/28/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$332,220
2024	2024	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	38	5/2/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$36,913
2024	2023	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	003	37	6/21/2024	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$677
2024	2021	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	002	36	6/21/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$677
														Subtotal = $369,133

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $369,690 )
2023	2023	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	37	1/11/2023	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$7,912
2023	2023	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	37	10/27/2022	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$361,778
														Subtotal = $369,690

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $378,820 )
2021	2021	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	36	10/27/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$340,938
2021	2021	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	36	1/7/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$37,882
														Subtotal = $378,820

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $378,820 )
2020	2020	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	35	11/1/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$340,938
2020	2020	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	35	1/15/2020	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$37,882
														Subtotal = $378,820

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $378,820 )
2019	2019	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	34	11/8/2018	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$378,820
														Subtotal = $378,820

Issue Date FY: 2018 ( Subtotal = $378,820 )
2018	2018	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	33	4/3/2018	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$37,882
2018	2018	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	33	11/2/2017	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$340,938
														Subtotal = $378,820

Issue Date FY: 2017 ( Subtotal = $385,633 )
2017	2017	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	32	1/31/2017	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$385,633
2017	2016	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	31	3/27/2017	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$0
														Subtotal = $385,633

Issue Date FY: 2016 ( Subtotal = $301,247 )
2016	2016	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASS AVE, BLDG E19-583	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	31	1/22/2016	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$30,124
2016	2016	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASS AVE, BLDG E19-583	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	31	10/23/2015	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$271,123
														Subtotal = $301,247

Issue Date FY: 2015 ( Subtotal = $299,251 )
2015	2015	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASS AVE, BLDG E19-583	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	30	1/13/2015	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$27,204
2015	2015	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASS AVE, BLDG E19-583	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	30	11/3/2014	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$272,047
														Subtotal = $299,251

Issue Date FY: 2014 ( Subtotal = $303,235 )
2014	2014	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASS AVE, BLDG E19-583	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	29	2/5/2014	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$30,448
2014	2014	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASS AVE, BLDG E19-583	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	29	11/20/2013	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$272,787
														Subtotal = $303,235

Issue Date FY: 2013 ( Subtotal = $288,951 )
2013	2013	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASS AVE, BLDG E19-583	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	28	10/25/2012	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$273,744
2013	2013	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASS AVE, BLDG E19-583	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	28	5/10/2013	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$15,207
														Subtotal = $288,951

Issue Date FY: 2012 ( Subtotal = $305,147 )
2012	2012	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASS AVE, BLDG E19-583	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	002	27	1/12/2012	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2012	2012	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASS AVE, BLDG E19-583	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	27	1/6/2012	COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$10,720
2012	2012	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASS AVE, BLDG E19-583	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	27	12/7/2011	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$315,867
														Subtotal = $305,147

Issue Date FY: 2011 ( Subtotal = $235,021 )
2011	2011	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASS AVE, BLDG E19-583	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	26	11/1/2010	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$218,511
2011	2011	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASS AVE, BLDG E19-583	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	26	5/27/2011	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$16,510
														Subtotal = $235,021

Issue Date FY: 2010 ( Subtotal = $243,439 )
2010	2010	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASS AVE, BLDG E19-583	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	25	1/21/2010	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$22,131
2010	2010	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASS AVE, BLDG E19-583	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	25	11/6/2009	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$221,308
														Subtotal = $243,439

Issue Date FY: 2009 ( Subtotal = $246,531 )
2009	2009	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASS AVE, BLDG E19-583	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	24	3/16/2009	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$24,653
2009	2009	MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY	77 MASS AVE, BLDG E19-583	CAMBRIDGE	MA	02139	MIDDLESEX	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	24	11/14/2008	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$221,878
														Subtotal = $246,531

Issue Date FY: 2008 ( Subtotal = $247,143 ) (Continued on the next page)
Grand Total All Awards = $8,516,161

Page 1 of 2 (67 items)12

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Experimental Theoretical Studies of Cochlear Mechanisms

Award Number: R01DC000238

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer