About the Researcher
Dhasakumar Navaratnam MD, PhD is a neurotologist and neurologist who provides advanced comprehensive evaluation and treatment for patients with hearing and balance problems. He received his MD from the University of Colombo and his PhD from the University of Oxford. He completed his residency in neurology and post-doctoral training in hearing research at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Navaratnam is funded by the NIH and performs basic science research on aspects of hearing and balance, and regeneration in the auditory and vestibular systems.
About the Research
Defining the molecular and cellular basis of Meniere’s disease using single cell RNA sequencing
This proposal seeks to identify the molecular and cellular events underlying Meniere’s disease (MD) using single cell RNA sequencing of inner ear tissue from patients with the disease.
The use of SCRNA seq will allow us to make an unbiased assessment of the pathophysiology of Meniere’s disease using tissue from patients with Meniere’s disease. There are many confounding theories on its causation. Our underlying hypotheses is that immunological mechanisms, and disordered salt and water exchange play a significant part in the evolution of the disease. In experiments with
adult mouse inner ears, we have identified three populations of macrophages and several populations of lymphocytes. We believe these cells play a significant part in disease evolution and causation.
