Thursday, September 25, 2025 9/25/2025

TARGETED EXPRESSION OF ATOH1 IN COCHLEAR SUPPORTING CELLS

Award Number: R03DC010065
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: 06/01/2009
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/02/2011

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

TARGETED EXPRESSION OF ATOH1 IN COCHLEAR SUPPORTING CELLS - DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This research involves the biological approach to the treatment of hearing loss. It is designed to investigate the mechanisms involved in mammalian hair cell regeneration. The proposed experiments build upon the observation that global expression of the Atoh1 gene in cochlear cells is sufficient for hair cell genesis. This proposal will test the hypothesis that specific populations of cochlear supporting cells are able to differentiate into hair cells. To accomplish this, Atoh1 will be expressed 1) in a dose-dependent manner, and 2) specifically in the cochlear supporting cells that reside directly beneath the hair cells. The basic experimental protocol will be as follows. Cultured murine organs of Corti will be electroporated with an inducible form of Atoh1. Atoh1 expression will be limited to the supporting cells directly beneath the hair cells because it will be placed under the regulatory control of the GFAP promoter (selectively expressed in the inner phalangeal, inner border, pillar and Dieters' cells) and GLAST promoter (inner border and inner phalangeal cell). Next, hair cells will be killed and then Atoh1 will be upregulated in these specific supporting cells. The ability for these specific supporting cell types to develop into hair cells will be observed using time lapse video microscopy, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemical expression of hair cell specific markers such as myosin 7a. Relevance: The long-term goal of this research is to treat hearing loss with more effective therapies than provided by hearing aids or cochlear implants. Specifically, this research is designed to investigate the basic mechanisms by which the auditory sensory cells, or hair cells, can regenerate in mammals. The overall hypothesis is that replacement of lost hair cells will result in a superior therapy for the treatment of hearing loss.


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: 2011 ( Subtotal = $171,000 )
2011	2011	EMERSON COLLEGE	120 BOYLSTON STREET	BOSTON	MA	02116	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	002	3	8/4/2011	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$144,562
2011	2011	EMERSON COLLEGE	120 BOYLSTON STREET	BOSTON	MA	02116	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	3	6/6/2011	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$144,562
2011	2011	GENESYS RESEARCH INSTITUTE INC	77 Warren Street	BOSTON	MA	02135	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	4	8/4/2011	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$171,000
														Subtotal = $171,000

Issue Date FY: 2010 ( Subtotal = $149,342 )
2010	2010	EMERSON COLLEGE	120 BOYLSTON STREET	BOSTON	MA	02116	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	2	5/13/2010	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$149,342
														Subtotal = $149,342

Issue Date FY: 2009 ( Subtotal = $163,525 )
2009	2009	EMERSON COLLEGE	120 BOYLSTON STREET	BOSTON	MA	02116	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	5/1/2009	NEW	$163,525
														Subtotal = $163,525

Grand Total All Awards = $483,867

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

TARGETED EXPRESSION OF ATOH1 IN COCHLEAR SUPPORTING CELLS

Award Number: R03DC010065

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: 06/01/2009

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/02/2011

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer