This is bery interesting. I certainly hope that the stem cells are not
embryonic stem cells.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Carleeta Manser" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;>
Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2008 6:53 PM
Subject: {dbilg} Beyond Hearing
>
> September 21, 2008.
>
> The Age, Australia - September 22, 2008.
>
> Stem cell find may replace bionic ear.
> By Nick Miller
>
> THE bionic ear is one of Australia's proudest achievements, but
> a Melbourne
> researcher's work could take the fight against deafness to a new
> level. Bryony Coleman, at the Eye and Ear Hospital, is
> conducting world-first research into the potential of stem cells
> to regrow the nerves that connect the ear to the brain.
>
> If successful, the technique could be used to improve the quality
> of hearing in people with cochlear implants - and one day it may
> even help restore hearing to those who are totally deaf.
>
> "Fifty years down the track this might be one of many techniques
> - we might not even need a cochlear implant," Dr Coleman said.
>
> When a rock concert, pneumatic drill or blaring iPod destroys
> some of the tiny, vibrating hairs in the inner ear, the damage
> does not stop there. Each hair cell's destruction leads to the
> death of up to 10 nerves that carry
> sound information into the brain.
>
> The bionic ear (cochlear implant) can replace some of the work of
> the hair - but it cannot regrow the nerves.
>
> Enter the stem cell: "precursor" cells that can grow into
> replacement nerve cells. "The theory is that the bigger and
> healthier the nerves, the better the cochlear implant will work,"
> Dr Coleman said. "We are using stem cells
> to make that bigger and healthier."
>
> Of course, it is more complicated than sticking a bunch of cells
> in your ear. Dr Coleman has to make the cells grow in the right
> place, to connect the hair cell to the brain.
>
> "We have transplanted stem cells into the (inner ear) and they
> survive, but we need to know if they work," she said.
>
> Last month scientists announced that, for the first time, they
> had used gene therapy to regrow the delicate hair cells of the
> inner ear - in mice. Dr Coleman said her work could supplement
> that breakthrough.
>
> The Age
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> >
>
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