Our senses rely on sense organs that contain highly specialised cells that convert different kinds of stimuli into electrical activity that can then be sent to and processed by our brain. We are particularly interested in the auditory sensory cells of the inner ear, impairment or loss of which leads to deafness. We use zebrafish and fruitfly model organisms to determine how auditory cells are made and how they function. Understanding the gene regulatory network of auditory cell generation and maintenance is a key step in developing new therapeutic approaches to prevent or reverse deafness.

Funding: Wellcome Trust, MRC, BBSRC

CIP staff profile