Nanoparticle based neurotrophin delivery to promote directed neurite growth and auditory nerve rescue following deafness [ 2011 - 2013 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Robert Shepherd (Principal investigator) ,  Dr Andrew Wise ,  Dr Justin Tan ,  Dr Yajun Wang ,  Prof Frank Caruso

Brief description The cochlear implant provides hearing information to the severe-profoundly deaf by electrically stimulating the auditory nerves of the inner ear. Deafness causes these auditory nerves to gradually degenerate leaving fewer nerves for the cochlear implant to stimulate. We propose to reverse this neural degeneration by delivering therapeutic drugs to the inner ear using tiny nanoparticles. This novel technology is expected to have application in other areas of neural degenerative disease.

Funding Amount $AUD 506,724.54

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant