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Cochlear
implants and the possibility of restoring hearing by regenerating
the sensory receptors in the human ear, depend upon the presence
and survival of statoacoustic ganglion (SAG) neurons to connect
them to the brain. An understanding of the differentiation
of these two cell types is needed to guide the regeneration
of whichever cell type is needed to restore hearing.
Dr.
Molea’s main project examines the role of the zinc-finger
transcription factors Zic1 and Zic2 in the development of
SAG neurons, hair cells, and supporting cells types in the
inner ear. Zic1 and Zic2, which are involved in early neurogenesis
and the differentiation of specific neuronal cell types in
the central and peripheral nervous systems, are also expressed
in the otocyst during the time period when SAG neuronal precursors
and the sensory epithelia differentiate. Since the Zic genes
are regulated by the BMP signaling pathway, this work is a
prerequisite for further studies testing the roles of the
BMP4 and BMP antagonist during inner ear development.
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