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USF researchers study brainstem cells in age-related hearing loss

Posted by Danielle Nipper's Blog ⋅ November 28, 2011 ⋅ Leave a Comment

Filed Under age-related, auditory, biological, brainstem, Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research lab, hearing loss, mackenzie ott, neurophysiologist, Presbycusis, researchers, scientist, Tampa, USF, xiaoxia zhu

Ott and Zhu at the USF Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research lab.

Monday, November 28th, 2011, 2:30 pm

TAMPA— The University of South Florida researchers at the Global Center for Hearing and Speech Research lab are studying brainstem cells that determine age-related hearing loss. Mackenzie Ott, a Neurophysiologist, (right) and Dr. Xiaoxia Zhu, M.D., a Biological Scientist, (left) are staining sections to mount on slides in order to examine under a microscope. The slides will allow the researchers to visualize anatomical differences in brainstem cells and how they relate to age-related structural and functional changes in auditory network cells involved in Presbycusis, or age related hearing loss. Ott and Zhu are using a hematoxylin and eosin stain kit, also known as H&E stain, to conduct their research. It is the most widely used stain in medical diagnosis. Without the stain it would be difficult to see biological tissue under a microscope. The stain gives the tissue contrast and highlights particular features of interest.

About Danielle Nipper's Blog

I am a Public Relations major at USF. I work as an intern for Ronin Associates International, a consulting firm that concentrates in the technology arena, and helps companies develop and refine products for delivery into niche markets. I am on the Business Buddies planning committee and participate in volunteer work in my spare time. Upon graduation I would like to work in pharmaceutical or medical sales.

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