Integration of the ear: external, middle and inner
*Please note, this project is self-funded*
Project details
First supervisor: Professor Abigail Tucker
Second supervisor: Professor Andrea Streit
Duration: Three years
Funding: Self-funded
Application deadline: Open until a suitable candidate is found
Reference number: 2017/DI/10
Project description
Hearing as one of the five human senses plays a crucial role in our quality of life and integration into society, impacting on speech and language skills. Congenital hearing loss has been estimated to occur at an incidence of 1 in 1000 births, and as such has a major impact on the life of many children. Loss of hearing can be due to defects in the external ear and ear canal; the middle ear, where sound waves are amplified and transmitted from the outer to the inner ear; and the inner ear, where hair cells process the sound waves and convert to neural inputs. Defects in the middle and outer ear lead to conductive hearing loss (CHL), while defects in the inner ear lead to sensorineural hearing loss.
This application focuses on how the middle ear is integrated with the external and inner ear to create a functional unit for hearing, defects in which lead to conductive hearing loss.
References relating to the project
Richter, C.A., Amin, S., Linden, J., Dixon, J., Dixon, M.J., Tucker, A.S. (2010). Defects in middle ear cavitation cause conductive hearing loss in the Tcof1 mutant mouse. Human Molecular Genetics 19, 1551-1560.
To view entry requirements and further course information, see the Dental and Health Sciences Research MPhil/PhD.
Next steps
How to apply
Please apply online at apply.kcl.ac.uk following these steps:
- Register a new account/login
- Once logged in, select Create a new application
- Enter ‘Dental and Health Sciences Research MPhil/PhD (Full-time/Part-time)' under Choose a programme. Please ensure you select the correct mode of study
- Select a start date from the list under Entry requirements on this webpage.
Please note: Applicants must include the project reference number in the 'Research proposal' section of the application.
Dr. Abigail Tucker (abigail.tucker@kcl.ac.uk).
Related division Craniofacial Development and Stem Cell Biology.
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