New Assay Leads To Step Toward Gene Therapy For Deaf Patients, Oregon State University Study
Scientists at Oregon State University have taken an important step toward gene therapy for deaf patients by developing a way to better study a large protein essential for hearing and finding a truncated version of it.
Mutations in the protein, otoferlin, are linked to severe congenital hearing loss, a common type of deafness in which patients can hear almost nothing.
The research suggests otoferlin, which is in the cochlea of the inner ear, acts as a calcium-sensitive linker protein.
Mutations in the protein, otoferlin, are linked to severe congenital hearing loss, a common type of deafness in which patients can hear almost nothing.
The research suggests otoferlin, which is in the cochlea of the inner ear, acts as a calcium-sensitive linker protein.