Lab
Kindt Lab
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Statement of Research Interest
Auditory and vestibular systems are required for proper hearing and
balance. These systems require sensory hair cells of the inner ear, to
sense sound and process vestibular stimuli. To reliably transmit auditory
and vestibular information, hair cells use specialized pre-synaptic
structures called synaptic ribbons. Our studies combine genetic,
molecular, and imaging-based approaches to identify the structural and
functional processes underlying synapse formation in hair cells. For our
studies we use the zebrafish lateral-line system in order to study
hair-cell development and function, in a live, transparent preparation. We
have an extremely powerful collection of transgenic zebrafish that label
synaptic structures to either assess synaptic morphology or function using
genetically encoded fluorescent proteins. We are combining these
microscopy-based approaches with CRISPR technology to create mutant
zebrafish in order to identify genes required for synapse formation,
function and regeneration. With this knowledge we aim to apply our
understanding of these processes in order to understand how to properly
reform hair cells and synaptic structures when they are loss or damaged
after hearing loss.
balance. These systems require sensory hair cells of the inner ear, to
sense sound and process vestibular stimuli. To reliably transmit auditory
and vestibular information, hair cells use specialized pre-synaptic
structures called synaptic ribbons. Our studies combine genetic,
molecular, and imaging-based approaches to identify the structural and
functional processes underlying synapse formation in hair cells. For our
studies we use the zebrafish lateral-line system in order to study
hair-cell development and function, in a live, transparent preparation. We
have an extremely powerful collection of transgenic zebrafish that label
synaptic structures to either assess synaptic morphology or function using
genetically encoded fluorescent proteins. We are combining these
microscopy-based approaches with CRISPR technology to create mutant
zebrafish in order to identify genes required for synapse formation,
function and regeneration. With this knowledge we aim to apply our
understanding of these processes in order to understand how to properly
reform hair cells and synaptic structures when they are loss or damaged
after hearing loss.
Lab Members
| Cebel, Elizabeth Post-Doc | Hussain, Saman Post-Doc | Sandeep, David Graduate Student |
| Lear, Sophie Research Staff | Lei, Zhengchang Research Staff | Pinter, Katherine Research Staff |
| Tadesse, Yommi Research Staff |