Manipulating cell fate in the cochlea: a feasible therapy for hearing loss

	Manipulating cell fate in the cochlea: a feasible therapy for hearing loss Over the course of evolution, structures for sensing the flow or vibration of the external environment have developed in parallel with the neural networks to relay the resulting signals to the central nervous system (CNS). Hair cells, which are observed in a range of vertebrates, such as fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals, are specialized for this particular task. The cells have apically arranged hair bundles that vibrate in response to movements in the fluid-filled labyrinth of the ear or the surrounding medium in aquatic species with motion-sensing lateral line hair cells; this vibration is coupled to mechanotransduction channels. Read More »