Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 22, 2025

Surgical Method for Virally Mediated Gene Delivery to the Mouse Inner Ear through the Round Window Membrane
Published on: March 16, 2015
Genetic Medicine for Hearing Loss: OTOF as Exemplar
Ann E Hickox1, Michelle D Valero1, James T McLaughlin1
1Akouos Inc., Boston, Massachusetts.
Abstract:
Millions of people worldwide have disabling hearing loss because one of their genes generates an incorrect version of some specific protein the ear requires for hearing. In many of these cases, delivering the correct version of the gene to a specific target cell within the inner ear has the potential to restore cochlear function to enable high-acuity physiologic hearing. Purpose: In this review, we outline our strategy for the development of genetic medicines with the potential to treat hearing loss. We will use the example of otoferlin gene (OTOF)-mediated hearing loss, a sensorineural hearing loss due to autosomal recessive mutations of the OTOF gene.
Related Concept Videos
Pleiotropy
Hearing
Genetic Lingo
Unrenewable Cells
Photoreceptors
The retina is composed of several layers and contains specialized cells called photoreceptors. The photoreceptors (rods and cones) change their membrane potential when stimulated by light energy. There are two types of photoreceptors—rods and cones—which differ in the shape of...
Gene-Environment Interactions
Anatomy of the Ear

