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The Role of the Organ of Corti for Cochlear Power Transmission

Award Number: R01DC014685
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/15/2015
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2026

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The Role of the Organ of Corti for Cochlear Power Transmission - Project Summary One out of seven adults in the United States suffers difficulty in hearing. Most hearing loss is related to inner ear dysfunction. A prominent signature of hearing loss is damage of outer hair cells, which can result in 40-60 dB of hearing loss. Outer hair cells are known as cellular actuators that are needed for cochlear amplification. Outer hair cells are situated in the cochlear sensory epithelium called the organ of Corti. The organ of Corti is sandwiched between two collagen-fiber-rich matrices called the basilar and tectorial membranes. Traditionally, studies on cochlear amplification were focused on motion of the basilar membrane, but new evidence is suggesting that we have been seeing only one-side of the story (basal-side of the outer hair cells). Recent advancement in imaging and velocimetry techniques enables scientists to ‘see-through’ the cochlea so that they can capture organ of Corti motion beyond the basilar membrane. New observations using recent techniques are both exciting and puzzling. For example, at the apical side of the outer hair cell, vibrations are broadly tuned as compared to basilar membrane motion or neural responses. Functional consequences of the incongruence between mechanical and neural tuning are unclear. Two challenges are impeding the progress of hearing science regarding cochlear amplification. First, despite recent progress, the resolution of velocity measurement techniques is insufficient to specify individual outer hair cells. Second, in experiments with live animals, there are very limited means to control outer hair cell physiology. This project resolves those two challenges. We have developed novel in vitro methods that enable us to measure the motion of individual outer hair cells under electrically, chemically and mechanically controlled conditions. Experimental outcomes are explained and extended by our Virtual Cochlea—a set of computer models to analyze cochlear mechano-transduction. By combining these experiments and the computer models, we can ensure scientific rigor of our research while minimizing animal use. For transparency, acquired data and computer programs will be made available to public. The three aims of this proposal are designed to quantify the most needed biophysical attributes needed to address open questions regarding cochlear amplification and tuning. They are 1) the deflection of stereocilia (mechano-receptive organelle of the hair cells) due to outer hair cell motility, 2) mechanical properties of the tectorial membrane and the Deiters cell (structures in series with the outer hair cell), and 3) the operating range of stereocilia mechano-transduction (stereocilia deflection to saturate hair cell mechano-transduction). The Virtual Cochlea is validated by comparing with the measurements of three aims before testing our overarching hypothesis—the organ of Corti must be as compliant as the outer hair cells for the outer hair cells to generate power for cochlear amplification.


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 = $439,687 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	910 GENESEE ST	ROCHESTER	NY	14611	MONROE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	9	12/12/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$395,719
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	910 GENESEE ST	ROCHESTER	NY	14611	MONROE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	9	4/26/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$43,968
														Subtotal = $439,687

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $439,687 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	910 GENESEE ST	ROCHESTER	NY	14611	MONROE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	8	11/6/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$395,719
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	910 GENESEE ST	ROCHESTER	NY	14611	MONROE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	8	5/3/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$43,968
														Subtotal = $439,687

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $439,687 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	500 JOSEPH C WILSON BLVD	ROCHESTER	NY	14627	MONROE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	7	11/30/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$395,719
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	500 JOSEPH C WILSON BLVD	ROCHESTER	NY	14627	MONROE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	7	1/13/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$43,968
														Subtotal = $439,687

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $513,637 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	500 JOSEPH C WILSON BLVD	ROCHESTER	NY	14627	MONROE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	6	11/22/2021	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$513,637
2022	2019	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	500 JOSEPH C WILSON BLVD	ROCHESTER	NY	14627	MONROE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	5	3/8/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $513,637

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2021	2019	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	500 JOSEPH C WILSON BLVD	ROCHESTER	NY	14627	MONROE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	5	5/10/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2019 ( Subtotal = $383,750 )
2019	2019	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	500 JOSEPH C WILSON BLVD	ROCHESTER	NY	14627	MONROE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	5	5/14/2019	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$383,750
														Subtotal = $383,750

Issue Date FY: 2018 ( Subtotal = $383,750 )
2018	2018	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	500 JOSEPH C WILSON BLVD	ROCHESTER	NY	14627	MONROE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	4	5/2/2018	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$383,750
														Subtotal = $383,750

Issue Date FY: 2017 ( Subtotal = $383,750 )
2017	2017	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	601 ELMWOOD AVE	ROCHESTER	NY	14642	MONROE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	3	5/24/2017	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$38,375
2017	2017	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	601 ELMWOOD AVE	ROCHESTER	NY	14642	MONROE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	3	5/11/2017	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$345,375
														Subtotal = $383,750

Issue Date FY: 2016 ( Subtotal = $383,750 )
2016	2016	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	1325 MOUNT HOPE AVE, SUITE 260	ROCHESTER	NY	14642	MONROE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	2	5/5/2016	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$383,750
														Subtotal = $383,750

Issue Date FY: 2015 ( Subtotal = $316,340 )
2015	2015	UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER	1325 MOUNT HOPE AVE, SUITE 260	ROCHESTER	NY	14642	MONROE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	6/11/2015	NEW	$316,340
														Subtotal = $316,340

Grand Total All Awards = $3,684,038

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The Role of the Organ of Corti for Cochlear Power Transmission

Award Number: R01DC014685

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/15/2015

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2026

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