Hair Cell Analysis
Hair Cell Analysis - Related Videos
01:22
Hair Cells
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2019
Hair cells are the sensory receptors of the auditory system—they transduce mechanical sound waves into electrical energy that the nervous system can understand. Hair cells are located in the organ of Corti within the cochlea of the inner ear, between the basilar and tectorial membranes. The actual sensory receptors are called inner hair cells. The outer hair cells serve other functions, such as sound amplification in the cochlea, and are not discussed in detail here. Hair cells are named after...
08:38
Extraction and Analysis of Cortisol from Human and Monkey Hair
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Cited by 199 •
2014
Cortisol (CORT) accumulates in the growing hair shaft of humans and nonhuman primates. We describe methods for extracting and analyzing hair CORT with high precision and sensitivity. Measurement of hair CORT is particularly well-suited for assessing chronic stress over periods of weeks to months.
09:35
Investigating Outer Hair Cell Motility with a Combination of External Alternating Electrical Field Stimulation and High-speed Image Analysis
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Cited by 3 •
2011
A reliable method to investigate outer hair cell (OHC) motile responses, including electromotility, slow motility and bending, is described. OHC motility is elicited by stimulation with an external alternating electrical field, and the method takes advantage of high-speed image recording, LED-based illumination, and last generation image analysis software.
06:01
Collecting Hair Samples for Hair Cortisol Analysis in African Americans
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Cited by 46 •
2018
Hair cortisol concentration analysis provides an alternative to traditional measures of cortisol; however, to collect hair samples from African Americans, scientists need to be culturally informed and competent. The purpose of this protocol is to demonstrate a culturally informed technique to collect hair samples for cortisol analysis from African Americans.
10:09
Rapid Genetic Analysis of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Signaling During Hair Regeneration
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Cited by 10 •
2013
Tissue-specific analysis of a hair follicle regeneration model using lentivirus to mediate gain- or loss-of-function.
FAQs
Mechanical stimulation of the stereocilia bundle changes the state of ion channels in the hair cell. Channel opening converts a physical movement into an electrical signal, allowing researchers to connect bundle structure with receptor function. Examining this relationship helps explain how altered morphology or stimulation may affect hearing and balance.
These approaches provide complementary evidence about hair-cell status. Morphology reveals cellular structure, including the stereocilia bundle; molecular markers help characterize cellular identity or state; and physiological measurements show how cells respond functionally. Together, the measurements connect visible features and molecular characteristics with the electrical consequences of mechanical stimulation.
The approach can be directed toward hair-cell development, synaptic function, injury, or regeneration. These processes represent different biological questions: how cells form, communicate, become damaged, or recover. Separating them helps researchers interpret whether an observed change reflects normal maturation, altered signaling, sensory-cell injury, or a regenerative response.
A study may combine structural, molecular, and functional measurements. Researchers can examine cell morphology and stereocilia bundles, assess relevant molecular markers, and record physiological responses to mechanical stimulation. This combination supports a more complete assessment than any single measurement because it relates cellular appearance and molecular features to ion-channel activity and electrical signaling.
Researchers can use the analysis to characterize how sensory hair cells are affected by noise damage or ototoxicity. Structural observations may reveal changes in cells or stereocilia bundles, while molecular and physiological measurements provide additional evidence of altered cell state and function. These findings help clarify mechanisms contributing to sensory loss.
By linking hair-cell structure, molecular markers, synaptic function, and physiological responses, the analysis helps explain abnormalities associated with hearing and balance. It also supports investigation of genetic disease and regeneration, providing biological evidence relevant to potential treatments for sensory loss rather than relying only on functional symptoms.