HAIR CELL REGENERATION IN THE AVIAN COCHLEA

Hair cell regeneration in the avian cochlea was first identified 10 ye ars ago in studies of hair cell loss following noise damage and aminog lycoside treatment. Since then, numerous studies from several laborato ries have examined abroad spectrum of the steps involved in the regene ration process. In this paper, we assess these studies and what they i ndicate about the events and regulatory mechanisms that control hair c ell regeneration. Moreover, we examine how these studies have led to a reexamination of the possibility for hair cell regeneration in mammal ian vestibular and cochlear sensory epithelia.