Cell and Molecular Biology of the Ear

This volume covers advances in a rapidly expanding field. This area of science has enabled scientists to shed new light on evolution, development, sensory cell function and hereditary deafness on a gene and molecular level, and to apply these techniques to the understanding of the pathogenesis, prevention and cure of ear disorders. The advent of rapid advancements in cell and molecular biology and genetics is making a major impact in biomedicine and these advances will certainly offer unprecedented opportunities in making new progress in otology. Each chapter is intended to cover reviews on the status of selected areas in mechanoreceptor evolution, developmental biology of the ear, structure and function of the auditory sensory cells, innovative approaches for sensory cell protection, inner ear sensory cell regeneration, and gene-based therapy for sensorineural hearing loss.