News

LOXHD1 is a crucial component of the auditory mechanotransduction machinery

We published our discovery of an additional component of the auditory mechanotransduction machinery in Nature Communications.

The protein LOXHD1, that we had previously discovered as causing hearing loss in mice and human when mutated, is critical to maintain the auditory channels at the tip of stereocilia, where the force is received. Contact Pr. Nicolas Grillet for more information at ngrillet@stanford.edu.

A revolution for in vivo protein localization

We published in Nature Communications a new technique to localize proteins close to the plasma membrane with nanoscale resolution by Scanning Electron Microscopy. We discovered the presence of a nanoscale ring at the tip of stereocilia. 

LOXHD1 and cancer

Our collaborative work with D. Asangani, University of Pennsylvania is published in Cell Reports.We show that LOXHD1 is overexpressed in a rare pediatric cancer and drives its malignancy.

Congrats to the team and Pei who contributed to the discovery!

JOIN US : 2 open positions!!!!

POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLARS in Neurosciences- mechanobiology- electronic microscopy Stanford University School of Medicine Department of Otolaryngology

The laboratory of Nicolas Grillet is recruiting two postdoctoral fellows to work on the molecular mechanisms of sound detection. The hair cells of the inner ear have a mechanotransduction organelle, the hair bundle that is sensitive to minuscule motion. We analyze deaf mutant mice to investigate the role of the mutated genes in sound detection.

The Grillet lab has expertise in molecular and cellular aspects of the hair bundle function (Trouillet et al, 2021, J. Neuro, in press; Wu & Grillet et al., Nature Neuroscience, 2017; Grillet et al., Neuron, 2009;). The lab utilizes fluorescence and electronic microscopy (scanning, transmission, FIB…) to investigate the hair bundle. We also use injectoporation and viral transfection methods to challenge and rescue phenotypes in the hair cells (Xiong et al., Nature Protocol 2012). We look for protein interactors using biochemistry and yeast-2H methods, and finally, we generate mutant mice with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing or homologous recombination. (http://grilletlab.stanford.edu/).

In particular, the Grillet lab has identified a new pathway required for hair cell mechanotransduction (Trouillet et al, 2021, J. Neuro, in press) involving the deafness gene LOXHD1. The candidate will use electrophysiology, calcium imaging, force microscopy, and other optical techniques to characterize the phenotypes from mutant mice with suspected hair bundle defects.
Another project consists in localizing at high-resolution the mechanotransduction channel complex using electron microscopy.

We are seeking graduates with a PhD in neuroscience, biophysics, physiology, developmental biology or another relevant field. Experience in at least one relevant expertise is required.

We are expecting high motivation and ability to work independently as well as part of the team. To apply, please include a CV and a cover letter describing your previous work and career goals, putative starting date, and the contact information for three references to ngrillet@stanford.edu.

NIH R21 grant awarded !

We have received confirmation from the NIH that our application “High-resolution localization of the hair cell mechanotransduction channel components by immunogold-scanning electronic microscopy” will be financed for 2 years!