All ears
Investigators from the MRC and the University of Hong Kong have isolated the gene responsible for sensory development in the inner ear. The result of 12 years of research in mice, the finding may lead to significant advances in treatment for deaf people and those with severe impairments in hearing. The researchers found that the Sox2 gene is needed to switch on the function of the tiny hair cells in the inner ear that detect sound, movement and balance.
Nature 2005; 434: 1031-1035