Resources

The Otolaryngology Department is fortunate to have witnessed a significant expansion in our Research Program since 2001. The faculty list now includes three full time researchers (Drs. Alagramam, Zheng, and McDermott) and 3 Physician scientists (Drs. Megerian, Baskin, and Broniatowski). All members listed above have research grants. Since 2001, the department has secured 5 NIH grants and equal number of grants from non-federal sources. A partial list of research grants secured since 2001 is listed below. In addition, we have well funded faculty members from other CWRU departments collaborating with members of our department. They are Drs. James Dennis (Orthopedics), Steven Eppell (Biomedical Engineering), W. Ko (Biomedical Engineering) and Darrin Young (Electrical Engineering). All of the above provide for a healthy research environment and increased opportunities for faculty, residents and medical students to participate in various ENT research projects.

Research laboratories for Drs. Alagramam, Megerian, Zheng and McDermott are located on the 4th floor of Wearn. Various animal models, including rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mouse and zebra fish are used by investigators in our department. We have access to state-of-the-art temporal bone laboratory for training and research. In addition, we have access to laboratories in Biomedical Engineering and Orthopedic departments. These labs are equipped to carry out molecular, cellular, stem cell biology and tissue engineering projects. Equipments include animal auditory electrophysiology testing system (Intelligent Hearing Systems), laser capture microdissection platform and confocal microscope. Further, members of our department have access to the newly established Case Center for Proteomics.

Research Grants

Alagramam, Kumar R21 DC-7866; Alagramam (PI)

1. NIH R21 DC-7866, Proteomics of Noise Induced Hearing Loss, 4/1/07-3/31/09
2. Rainbow Board of Trustees Award, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, “ Auditory Proteomics of Mouse Model for Usher Syndrome 1F ”, 2006-2007, $20,000.
3. NIH RO1 DC05305, “Molecular Genetics of Deafness in the Mouse Model for Usher Syndrome 1F”, 4/1/2002 – 3/31/2006. Ca. $1,500,000
4. Deafness Research Foundation, “Functional analysis of Pcdh15, the mouse homologue of the human gene associated with USH1F”, 1/1/2002 – 12/31/2002. $20,000
5. American Hearing Res. Foundation, “Characterization of vestibular defects in the mouse model for Usher syndrome 1F”, 1/1/02 – 12/31/02. $20,000
6. University Hospitals Research Institute, University Hospitals of Cleveland, “Molecular Genetics of Deafness Research”, 11/1/01-current. $330,000.
7. NIH RO1, “Cloning of Ames Waltzer Using a Unique Mouse Mutant 5/1/98 – 4/30/02, Co-investigator: K. Alagramam (PI: Woychik). Ca. $500,000.

Arnold, James

1. StressGen Biotechnologies Corp. Protocol Number: SGN-00101-0005 “A Phase II Trial of SGN-00101 in the Treatment of Pediatric Recurrent Respiratory Papillomastosis (Multi-center trial)” Co-PIs: Robert C. Sprecher, MD, James A. Coticchia, MD, Jeffrey Blumer, MD. $10,000

Broniatowski, Michael

1. The NeuroControl Company: “Dynamic Laryngeal Closure for Aspiration”, 2000-2002, ca $100,000.
2. The Surgical Foundation: “Artificial Manipulation of Voice in a Canine Model” 2000-2002, ca $25,000.
3. NIH R 21 # DC-006703-01 : “Human Laryngeal Pacing for Aspiration”, 4/2004 to 4/2006. $ 310,500.
4. VA Merit Review 2003-2006: “Dynamic Laryngeal Closure using BION Technology” (PI: Dustin J Tyler, PhD), ca $700,000.
5. NIH R 21 # DC-006854A1: “Dynamic Vocal Fold Abduction for Bilateral Paralysis”: 9/2005- 9-2007, $ 453,000.

McDermott, Brian

1. National Organization for Hearing Research, ‘Genes involved in hair cell development', 5/1/2006 – 4/30/07. $25,000

Megerian, Cliff

1. NIH-RO1, ‘Clinical Validation and Testing of Percutaneous Cochlear Implantation'- Multicenter PI: Megerian; Overall PI for the RO1: Robert Labadie, M.D, Ph.D. at Vanderbilt Otolaryngology Department. 4/1/07-3/31/11
2. NIH-RO3: “Molecular biology of deafness in Meniere's disease” –$225, 000 (2005-2008)
3. Gyrus –ENT corp. Megerian PI “Tissue engineered eardrum patch”, ($16,000), 2003-2005
4. NIH-NIDCD- R21 “Micro Sensor for Cochlear and middle ear implant systems” Megerian, Co-investigator, Dr. Wen Koh PI., $450,000, 2003-2006.
5. Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital Foundation Grant ($25, 000) “Molecular biology of deafness in endolymphatic hydrops”. 2004-2006. Megerian PI           
6. University Hospitals of Cleveland “Molecular biology of deafness in Meniere's disease”, ($15,000), 2003
7.   National Organization for Hearing Research – “Glutamate in Meniere's Disease”, ($10,000), 1999-2000, 2000-2001.
8. Rainbow Board of Trustees Grant, “Mouse model of endolymphatic hydrops”, 2006-2007, $20,000

Murray, Gail

1. Natus Medical, Inc. “Clinical Comparison Study of the Natus ALGO Newborn Hearing Investigational Screener with the ALGO 2E or Color Newborn Hearing Screener (PC000013 & PC000015), 2000-2001 , $49,000

Sprecher, Robert

1.  Rainbow Board of Trustees Grant, “Photodynamic therapy of CRPV induced papilloma in the xenograft model” 2005-2006. $20,000

Zheng, Yin

1. NIH R01 DC007392, “Transcriptome and Proteome Analysis of Mouse Inner Ears” 09/19/05 - 08/31/08. $1,120,000
2. NIH R21 DC005846, “Identify and Develop Mouse Models for Otitis Media 07/01/03 - 06/30/06. $557,070.
3. Five year R01 grant from NIDCD was recently awarded to study “Mucous Cell Metaplasia in Pneumococcal Otitis Media” (PI: Lin, U. Minnesota). Dr. Qing Zheng is a co-investigator on this grant and will be the subcontract PI for 3 years. The proposed studies seek to examine the molecular pathogenesis of mucous cell development in otitis media exemplified by pneumococcus and its cell envelope components that contain Gram positive pathogen-associated molecular patterns. These studies should bring new insight into the bacterial factors and host responses necessary for development of chronic otitis media and may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for this common disease. Duration: 04/01/07- 03/31/12