Student Awarded for Promising Work in Deafness Research

University College London medical student Janice Lee was presented with an award for her successful summer  research project into hearing loss, which was funded by Action on Hearing Loss (formerly RNID). Dr Sohaila Rastan, Action on Hearing Loss’s Chief Scientific Advisor presented Janice with a personalised plaque at Great Ormond Street Hospital forChildren where she completed her placement.

“One of our key aims at Action on Hearing Loss is to increase the number of talented scientists working in the field of hearing loss research and providing opportunities to inspire students is a good way of doing this. Janice’s project is a great example of how our Summer Studentships can provide valuable research experience to promising students, which in this case is likely to lead to a new diagnostic test to screen for deafness,” Dr Rastan said.

Dr Nick Lench from Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children said: “During Janice’s summer placement she  uccessfully designed and validated a diagnostic assay for POU3F4, a gene that causes X-linked non-syndromic deafness. She was able to identify POU3F4 mutations in a number of different patients and her work has formed the basis of a gene dossier submission to the UK Genetic Testing Network that will enable the NE Thames Regional Genetics Service at GOSH to offer a fully accredited POU3F4 gene testing service for patients and families.”

Further information from www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk