Olivia Bermingham-McDonogh, PhD

Research Interests:	My research involves the mammalian inner ear. In particular the auditory part called the organ of Corti which is made up of hair cells and support cells that are arranged in a stereotyped pattern.
Work Summary:	My broad research interests are in the area of sensory system development and regeneration. My research currently involves the mammalian inner ear. The mammalian organ of Corti is made up of hair cells and support cells that are arranged in a stereotyped pattern. My lab is interested in what signals are involved in the full differentiation of these various cell types and their potential for regeneration after hair cell loss. I am interested in what prevents the hair cells from regenerating after damage in mammals, as they do in birds and lower vertebrates. In particular I am exploring the role of FGFs in the development of the specific cell types in the mammalian cochlea.
Links:	oliviab@uw.edu Bermingham-McDonogh Lab Faculty Profile Publications on Google Scholar