Developing Nerve Cell

Early nerve cell from the ear developing in culture -

A cultured cell from a line derived from the developing inner ear has been treated so that it forms projections characteristic of nerves that carry signals from the ear to the brain.

Understanding the factors that make this happen could be important in inducing regeneration of nerve cells in patients with sensorineural deafness whose nerves have been lost or damaged.

Confocal micrograph.