Research Group: S. Masetto. G. Russo, I. Prigioni

The project focuses on the molecular mechanisms of sensory signaling by hair cells, the sensory receptors of the inner ear. The main experimental approach is the patch-clamp recording from in situ cochlear and vestibular hair cells. Wild type and genetically-modified mice will be employed to identify the nature and to define the roles of voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ and K⁺ channels in hair cell signal transmission, also in relation to deafness and vestibular disorders.
For more details, see: http://sergiomasetto.weebly.com/

Recent Publications:

• Tavazzani E, Spaiardi P, Zampini V, Contini D, Manca M, Russo G, Prigioni I, Marcotti W, Masetto S (2016) Distinct roles of Eps8 in the maturation of cochlear and vestibular hair cells. Neuroscience, 328:80-91. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.04.038. PMID:27132230
• Magistretti J, Spaiardi P, Johnson SL, Masetto S (2015) Elementary properties of Ca(2+) channels and their influence on multivesicular release and phase-locking at auditory hair cell ribbon synapses. Front Cell Neurosci., 9:123. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00123. eCollection 2015. PMID:25904847
• Zampini V, Johnson SL, Franz C, Knipper M, Holley MC, Magistretti J, Russo G, Marcotti W, Masetto S (2014) Fine Tuning of CaV1.3 Ca2+ channel properties in adult inner hair cells positioned in the most sensitive region of the Gerbil Cochlea. PLoS One, 9(11):e113750. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113750. PMID:25409445