Intramural Research

About Intramural Research

The NIDCD intramural research program conducts basic and clinical research in human communication, with a primary interest in hearing and balance.

Current research projects address areas such as:

• The genetics of disorders of hearing, balance, speech, and language in human and mouse models.
• Identifying molecules and pathways important for the development, structure, and function of the inner ear, and its connection with nerve cells.
• Characterizing the molecular and cellular mechanisms of loss of hearing or balance caused by genetic mutations or non-genetic factors such as noise or drugs.
• Exploring new and improved methods to detect, diagnose, prevent, and treat hearing and balance disorders.

This intense concentration on hearing research and its genetic causes has enabled NIDCD intramural scientists to make significant research progress on this priority for the NIDCD.

The NIDCD’s distinguished scientists and fellows work at the forefront of research on communication disorders. The Division of Intramural Research is located on the main NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. Our basic science laboratories and state-of-the-art core facilities are housed in the Porter Neuroscience Research Center, one of the largest neuroscience research buildings in the world. Our clinical and translational research programs are located at the NIH Clinical Center. All NIDCD researchers have extraordinary opportunities to leverage the extensive resources and expertise across NIH’s Intramural Research Program to perform interdisciplinary and collaborative research from bench to bedside.

For More Information

• NIH Intramural Database (NIDB)
  Reports about research being performed in the Intramural Programs of the NIH.