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 Members:

 Francesca De Faveri lab photo

Dr Francesca De Faveri 

f.defaveri@sheffield.ac.uk

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 2

Charlie Cranston 

cfcranston1@sheffield.ac.uk

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 lab photo

Sarah Hool

sahool1@sheffield.ac.uk

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.

Matt Hool

Matthew Hool

m.j.hool@sheffield.ac.uk

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

Yanyun Zhao

yzhao248@sheffield.ac.uk

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

Alice Zanella 

azanella1@sheffield.ac.uk

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

Andrea Aveta

a.aveta@sheffield.ac.uk

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