Postdoctoral Fellows - Gene Therapy and Inner Ear Regeneration

We are seeking postdoctoral fellows in multiple groundbreaking projects focused on hearing restoration, encompassing gene therapy for genetic hearing loss and inner ear hair cell regeneration, from animal models to humans. Our work includes:

1. Gene and Editing Therapy: We are working on multiple deaf mouse models to restore hearing in adult mice and advance our findings toward clinical application. Our gene and editing therapies have successfully restored hearing in multiple mouse models (Du et al., Mol Ther, 2023; Yong et al., Nat Commun, 2023; Zhu et al., Sci Transl Med, 2024). The projects include the development of new technologies (e.g., RNA editing, epigenetic modifications) to restore hearing in new mouse models and IND-enabling studies toward clinical trials.

• Regeneration of Inner Ear Cells: We target the regeneration of diverse cell types, including hair cells, neurons, and supporting cells, in adult animal models (mice and pigs). Our approach leverages Myc/Notch co-activation for reprogramming (Shu et al., Nat Commun, 2019), complemented by a drug-like cocktail we have developed that successfully induces hair cell regeneration in the adult cochlea in vivo (Quan et al., PNAS, 2023). We have identified critical molecules that enhance ganglion neurite outgrowth and synapse regeneration, paving the way for treating “hidden hearing loss” caused by synaptopathy. The projects aim to bring the new approaches of regeneration of hair cells, neurons and synapses to restore hearing from noise-induced and age-related hearing loss from animal models to humans.

Our laboratory employs state-of-the-art technologies, including in vitro adult cochlea explant culture, reprogramming, scRNAseq, genome editing, viral and nanoparticle delivery, and physiological function analysis.

We are pioneers in clinical translational applications, having conducted the first successful OTOF gene therapy trial in children born with complete hearing loss, resulting in restored hearing and speech capabilities (Lv et al., The Lancet, 2024; Wang et al., Nat Med, 2024).

Our lab is part of Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, the largest hearing research center globally, renowned for its diverse research programs. We offer a unique and exciting opportunity for candidates interested in advancing basic research to translational applications, including human studies.

Candidate Requirements: We seek individuals with a Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., or M.D. with a strong background in molecular biology, cellular biology, genetics, gene editing, RNAseq, and animal models. A strong track record of scientific publications is essential.

Salary: $70,000-$80,000