Jennifer Stone, Ph.D.

Research Associate Professor, Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery
Research Affiliate, Center on Human Development and Disability
stoner@uw.edu
206-616-4108
University of Washington
Box 357923
Seattle, WA 98195-7923

Dr. Stone's research interests focus on the regeneration, homeostasis, and morphology of inner ear hair cells. Her group examines the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying hair cell development and regeneration in the auditory and vestibular systems, in both birds and mammals. They are taking advantage of the natural capabilities of birds to regenerate hair cells and restore hearing and balance function by analyzing the genes and molecular pathways they employ after hair cell damage. The Stone lab is also investigating the innate capacities of mammals to regenerate hair cells after damage and designing strategies to promote functional recovery in rodents after damage as well as studing the morphology of type II vestibular hair cells and the cell lineage that forms type II hair cells in normal and damaged conditions. The long term goal of the lab is to develop biological treatments for hearing and balance disorders.

Stone's lab uses a variety of methodological approaches to address neuroscience questions, including cell and organ culture, electroporation- and viral-mediated gene transfer (using Cre-Lox technology), immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, gene expression analyses (RNAseq, in situ hybridization), and cell transplantation.

Stone Lab website

University of Washington • Center on Human Development and Disability • Box 357920 • Seattle WA 98195-7920 USA • 206-543-7701 • chdd@uw.edu