Objective This project aims at designing a new therapeutic approach for the restoration of sensory function after damage in the inner ear auditory and balance organs. This goal will be reached through the better understanding of the regenerative and "neo-synaptogenesis" potential of inner ear sensory neurons and on how this potential can be enhanced in vivo in hearing impaired animals. Stem cell lines from normal animals and form transgenic animals over expressing neurotrophic factors will be established and these cells will be further manipulated using genetic engineering. The ability of these cells to support regeneration in the inner ear will be assessed with functional in vitro and in vivo approaches. This cell therapy approach will be combined with existing biopolymer implants and with existing cochlear electrode prosthesis into a BIOELECTRODE implant. Fields of science medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringmedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologycells technologiesstem cellsmedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologyimplants Programme(s) FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002 Topic(s) 1.1.1.-9. - Neurosciences Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE EU contribution No data Address Avenue du Fontaule 1 66651 BANYULS SUR MER France See on map Total cost No data Participants (3) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all KAROLINSKA INSTITUTE Sweden EU contribution No data Address Novum, KFC plan 4 141 86 STOCKHOLM See on map Total cost No data NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ITALY Italy EU contribution No data Address Via Vanvitelli 32 20129 MILANO See on map Total cost No data SWISS FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY LAUSANNE Switzerland EU contribution No data Address AAB 132 1015 LAUSANNE See on map Total cost No data
