
Katie X. 2025 | BASIS Independent Fremont
- Project Title: Investigating the role of FSCN2 in Utricle Hair Bundle Development
- BASIS Independent Advisor: Dr. Sharma
At the Cheng Lab at Stanford University, I will be working with Dr. Tian Wang, a senior research scientist, to understand utricle development and regeneration.
The utricle, an inner ear organ critical for balance, relies on the mechanotransduction capabilities of its hair cells. These cells detect head motion via the displacement of calcium carbonate crystals, known as otoconia, which shift in response to movement. Damage to utricle hair cells, caused by aging, ototoxic drugs, or other factors, can lead to vestibular dysfunction, a condition that affects the quality of life of over 35% of individuals aged 40 and older in the US. Understanding more about utricle hair cells and their development, through systematically assessing hair bundle dimensions, can provide information to guide us towards the regeneration of hair cells.
Fascin-2 (FSCN2), an actin-bundling protein, has been implicated in hair cell function and morphology, with prior studies identifying its role in auditory hair cells and hearing loss in mice. However, its role in utricle hair cell development remains underexplored. My project focuses on investigating the dimensions and expression of FSCN2 in 3D-reconstructed utricle hair cells during developmental stages, from embryonic day 13.5 to six months postnatally, emphasizing on prenatally versus postnatally added cells. I will create a research poster to present my results.
Through this research project, we can understand more about characterizing utricle hairs’ development to provide information to push the field towards treatments, helping improve the quality of life for over 35% of individuals aged 40 and older in the US.