Research
Over the last five years, the Stanford OHNS research laboratories have established themselves in the forefront of innovative bioscience and technology. Under the leadership of research division chief Dr Stefan Heller basic and clinical research programs have been developed which encompass all of the sub-specialties of OHNS.
A cardinal goal of Stanford OHNS is to conduct translational research on issues relevant to human disease. We have worked to create a culture which maximizes collaboration among basic scientists, engineers, and clinicians to address important translational research questions. The backbone of the strategy is a core team of basic scientists hosted in our own laboratory facilities. This group of full time researchers collaborates with clinician-scientists to address scientific questions of mutual interest.
Our laboratory facilities, located on the first floor of the Edwards building, include an imaging center with three confocal microscopes (including 2 photon and swept field systems), a number of electrophysiolocy rigs, cell culture facilities, and an animal hearing testing lab. A second lab is located in the Arastradero stem cell facility. Our current annual departmental research expenditures are approximately $2.5 million.To build for the future, we are in the midst of recruiting a cadre of young surgeon – investigators charged for the purpose of building strong ties between the clinical world and our basic science and engineering communities. Drs Alan Chang (Pediatric OHNS) and John Sunwoo (Head & Neck Oncology) are the first two scientist – surgeon appointments who are anticipated to undertake career long contributions to translational research. We are currently in the midst of recruiting two additional scientifically sophisticated young faculty members (otology-neurotology, rhinology).
Stanford has made a substantial investment in new laboratory space, endowment, and additional basic science faculty positions. These resources have been used to create a highly productive, innovative, and collaborative center which takes full advantage of the surrounding Stanford bioscience and engineering communities.. The priority of our laboratory programs is to produce high quality, innovative research in areas of inquiry relevant to human disease.
Regenerative medicine:
• Developing stem cell therapy for overcoming deafness
• Identification of stem cells in squamous cell carcinoma of the head & neck
• Regenerating paranasal sinus mucosa
Bioengineering:
• Integration of the human ear and voice with digital devices
• Mechanics of sound transmission through the tympano-ossicular system
• Surgical simulation using 3D – haptic enhanced simulators
• Robotic microsurgery • Microendoscopy of the inner ear
• High speed laryngeal imaging
• Virtual Laryngoscopy
• Cine MRI evaluation of the airway during sleep
