Hearing Research Lab
The Hearing Research Laboratory is a part of the Ear and Auditory Research (EAR) Laboratory led by Dr. Manohar Bance in the department of Surgery.
There are three major branches of research in the EAR lab, directed by:
- Jian Wang, Gene and Pharmacologic Studies
- Robert A. Adamson & Jeremy Brown, Imaging and Biomedical Engineering Applications
- Manohar Bance, Middle Ear Mechanics
Location
The Hearing Research Lab is located in 12B Tupper Building
5859 College Street, Halifax, NS
Research Interests, Gene and Pharmacologic Studies Branch:
Genetic and Pharmacologic Therapy for Inner Ear Disorders
Principal Investigator:
Jian Wang
Co-investigators:
Manahar Bance (Department of Surgery) & Geroge Robertson (Department of Pharmacology).
We examine the damage and degeneration in the inner ear that is related to aging, noise exposure and ototoxic drugs, individually and in combination; explore the potential mechanisms of the pathology; and develop therapies that might mitigate or reverse the damage and/or degeneration. Gene therapies against aging, noise and ototoxic drugs have been investigated by using over-expression of XIAP and NT3 gene, as well as compounds such as flavenoids. Our research has been funded by CIHR and NSERC grants and other research grant agencies in the past 10 years.
Current Funded Research:
- Title: "Cochlear gene therapy targeting the protection against aging-related hearing loss and neuronal degeneration."
Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Principal Investigator: Jian Wang
Co-Investigators: Manohar Bance & George Robertson, Dalhousie University
- Title: "Mechanisms of ribbon synapse function and plasticity."
Funding: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
Principal Investigator: Jian Wang
Prospective Master’s and PhD students and Research Assistants:
We are open to applications to study in Master’s or doctoral programs or for the position of research assistant.