Marcotti Lab
In the Marcotti lab, we use mammalian and zebrafish models to elucidate how the auditory system develops and functions. Our research is also aimed at understanding the cause of deafness and age-related hearing loss and to develop therapeutic approaches to restore hearing.
Lab Leader:
Professor Walter Marcotti
Professor of Sensory Neuroscience
School of Biosciences
Development, Regeneration and Neurophysiology
w.marcotti@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 1098
Lab Members:
Dr Francesca De Faveri
Postdoctoral Research Associate
I am interested in the functional development of the mammalian auditory system, mainly using two-photon microscopy, both ex vivo and in vivo.
Charlie Cranston
PhD Student
As we age, there is an accumulation of oxidative stress within the cochlea. My research will investigate the mechanisms by which this oxidative stress can lead to DNA damage, and how this might contribute to age-related hearing loss.
Sarah Hool
PhD Student
My research is focused on understanding how age-related changes within the non-sensory cells of the cochlea could contribute to hair cell deterioration, and thus, age-related hearing loss.
Matthew Hool
Research Assistant
My research focuses on the use of AAV surgery as a gene therapy approach to prevent progressive hearing loss and rescue auditory function.
Yanyun Zhao
PhD Student
Spontaneous activities are crucial for the development of the mammalian auditory system. My research focuses on understanding how calcium signals in the prehearing cochlea operate in vivo using two-photon microscopy.
Alice Zanella
PhD Student
Genetic mutations play a key role in progressive and age-related hearing loss. My research is focused on investigating the suitability of gene-based therapies in preventing or potentially reversing the progression of hearing loss.
Andrea Aveta
PhD Student
The exact role the sensory hair cells have in the maturation of the auditory pathway and how hair cell dysfunction alters the auditory circuit are still largely unknown. My project focuses on answering these questions studying the early development of the hearing pathway in the zebrafish.
Past Lab Members:
Dr Andrew O’Connor
Dr Fanbo Kong
Dr Anna Underhill
Dr Hubashia Ganzafar Rizvi
Dr Valeria Zampini
Dr Aenea Hendry
Dr Stephanie Kuhn
Dr Jennifer Olt
Dr Katherine Hardy
Dr Tanya Bardhan
Dr Tobias Eckrich
Ms Maria Pakendorf
Dr Alison Wood
Dr Oliver Huston
Dr Laila Moushtaq-Kheradmandi