“Masterpiece”. For the first time, scientists keep alive mammal cochlea outside the body

Remove a living and good health cochlea to realize its operation: it is possible, and is “one of the most impressive experiences of the last five years.”

Never before possible maintain a small section of the living and functional cochlea outside the bodymaking it possible to study directly the functioning of this organ. A team of researchers has just done so.

“We can now observe the first steps of the hearing process in a controlled way, something that was once impossible,” explains Francesco Gianoli, co -author of Hearing Research in June.

The investigators resorted to the gerbiloswhose hearing range is similar to that of humans. They removed fragments of only 0.5 mm from the cochlea region responsible for the perception of average frequencies.

Through the use of a specially conceived device, the team was able to register in real time the extraordinary capabilities of the cochlea, including its high sensitivity, detection needs frequencies and the ability to process a wide range of sound intensities.

“This study is a masterpiece“, Says biophysicist Marcelo Magnnais, director of Rockefeller’s integrative neuroscience laboratory.“ In the field of biophysics, it is one of the most impressive experiences of the last five years“.

The study is of special importance due to the difficulty in understanding the cells that make up the cochlea, which remains a true mystery.

“We could see in thorough detail what each part of the fabric did at the subcellular ”, describes Gianoli.“ This experience required an extraordinary level of accuracy and delicacy“Adds Magnascaro.” There is mechanical fragility and electrochemical vulnerability at stake. “

Now, scientists believe that the use of the cochlea Ex living It will allow you to better understand hearing and, in the future, develop more effective therapies.