Westerfield Lab

Our laboratory studies the molecular genetic basis of human diseases, particularly Usher syndrome, the leading cause of combined deafness and blindess, and other diseases of the eye and ear. 

We use zebrafish and a combination of anatomical, physiological, molecular, and genetic techniques. The goal of our research is to identify disease-causing genes, to elucidate what goes wrong during disease, and to develop preclinical trials for new therapies. Current research focuses on developing models of human disease. In particular, we are making and studying models of Usher syndrome. Our research is funded by the National Eye Institute, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communicative Disorders, the National Institute of Child Health and Development, the National Human Genome Research Institute, and the Office of the Director of the National Institutes of Health. We thank the Usher 1F Collaborative,, the Usher Syndrome Society, and Usher Syndroom who also generously support us. Contribute to our Usher Syndrome Research Fund.