Hear-it-age

What if your ability to hear—or not—was written in your DNA? Around half of people with suspected hereditary hearing loss never receive a genetic diagnosis, even though a genetic cause is likely. Our lab is working to close that diagnostic gap. Using genome sequencing, we investigate the genetic causes of hearing loss in families worldwide. Sometimes this leads to the discovery of entirely new genes; other times, we focus on unclear variants in known genes to determine whether they truly cause hearing loss.

Our work goes beyond discovery. We collaborate with researchers developing gene therapies to restore certain forms of genetic hearing loss. We also support patients and families by building gene-specific registries, engaging with support groups, and establishing structures that connect patients with interdisciplinary teams, providing access to diagnostics, research, and future clinical trials.

In this talk, I’ll take you behind the scenes of the genetics of hearing, highlight the science driving discovery and therapy, and share how this work is moving us closer to a future of better diagnostics and treatments for those affected by hearing loss.

As the years go by, one fact becomes abundantly clear - we are not getting any younger! However, people do not age at the same pace, and there is great variation between species in how long individuals can expect to live. In the search for the fountain of youth, scientists are discovering the universal biological laws that govern ageing and how small changes on our DNA can have profound consequences for our health. Together we look at some of these fundamental rules that constrain our biology, and explore the many ways epigenetics is changing our ability to measure and modify aging.