Peter Santi

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Credentials

PhD

Bio

The overall goal of the Santi laboratory is to minimize or prevent hearing loss in humans by improving our understanding normal structure/function of the inner ear and characterize pathologies of the cochlea that result in hearing loss. My research uses the mouse animal model and human temporal bones for anatomical research. The laboratory consists of a primary space for histological processing of tissue, and a vibration isolated space for imaging in the Lions Research Building/Translation Research Facility. A major effort in my laboratory is the development of a new microscope for high resolution imaging of the whole inner ear in animals and humans. This microscope produces well-aligned image stacks of the inner ear that are suitable for 3D reconstruction of inner ear structures. Advanced imaging and computer reconstruction allows for the generation of complete 2D and 3D atlases of the cochlea that are used to produce average cochlea models, and development of a 3D coordinate system of the cochlea for a morphometric analysis of cochlear structures.Dr. SAnti's research is funding through NIDCD/NIH, Capita Foundation and the Digital Technology Center, Biomedical Engineering Institute.

Research Summary

Cochlear Anatomy Laboratory The primary goal of this laboratory is to minimize or prevent hearing loss by improving our understanding of the structure and function of the mammalian inner ear. We are specifically interested in characterizing cochlear glycoconjugates in the normal inner ear and how these macromolecules may be involved in normal hearing and hearing dysfunction in acoustic overstimulation, and Alport's syndrome. We are also developing the first antomical database on the mouse cochlea.