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              Research
              Intramural Research
  
      Inner Ear Gene Therapy Program


**Wade Chien, M.D., FACS, Otolaryngology Surgeon-Scientist**

Research Statement

Our laboratory, formerly part of the NIDCD Otolaryngology Surgeon-Scientist Program (OSSP), is focused on developing gene therapy as a treatment option for hearing loss and dizziness. Some patients with hereditary hearing loss and dizziness have mutations involving genes critical for inner ear development. Our laboratory is developing ways to delivery gene therapy to the mammalian inner ear *in vivo*. We are currently testing whether the delivery of normal copies of the mutated genes into animal models of hereditary hearing loss can restore hearing and balance.

Genome editing (zinc finger nucleases, TALENs, and CRISPR/Cas) allows modification of the genome at a single-nucleotide level. This can potentially be used to correct the mutation in the affected genes and restore normal function. We are currently studying whether genome editing can be used as a form of gene therapy to restore hearing and balance in animal models.
Lab Personnel
    
      Wade Chien, M.D., FACS Otolaryngology Surgeon-Scientist +1 301 443 2504 (Send e-mail)
          Mhamed Grati, Ph.D. +1 301 402 1600 (Send e-mail)
          Kevin Isgrig Biologist +1 301 443 2504 (Send e-mail)
          Yasuko Ishibashi, M.D. +1 301 594 6098 (Send e-mail)
          Jianliang Zhu, Ph.D. Biologist +1 301 594 6018 (Send e-mail)
Interested in discussing potential jobs or research opportunities in this group? Contact the research group leader listed at the top of the Lab Personnel section.
Last Updated Date:
      April 27, 2023
              NIDCD Research in the News
    
      NIDCD lab applies gene therapy to hearing loss
          June 16 Beyond the Lab speaker series: The promise of gene therapy for hearing and balance disorders
          Lab-designed virus shows promise for inner ear gene therapy - I am Intramural, the NIH Intramural Research Program blog
          NIH scientists improve hearing and restore balance in mice with inherited form of deafness
          Gene therapy corrects stereocilia defects in the inner ears of mice with inherited deafness COVID-19
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