Sensory Hair Cell Homeostasis

National Institute On Deafness And Other Communication Disorders

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The lab and office space currently located in a newly renovated area in building 35 pod 1B is now set and ready to welcome our team to perform high-quality science. The tissue culture room 1B-402 was cleaned and equipped for undertaking new research. The large room 1B-406 has been set as an imaging room that currently allocates two confocal microscopes. Room 1B-403, previously set as an IT office space, has been converted into our protein biochemistry room. Lastly, office space located in room 1B-203, has been fully renovated. Unfortunately, on December 25th, 2022, while some of these renovations were undergoing or just finished, several minor water leaks and a major flood event happened in building 35 that affected our entire lab area. Water came through the ceiling in most areas causing equipment and consumable damage and loss. Two companies were hired to perform on-site remediation efforts including water and debris cleanup, setting up fans and dehumidifiers, and replacing damaged drywall. To facilitate the work of these companies and while remediation crews made the area safe for occupancy, access to our lab and office space was fully restricted. On February 14th, we re-gained access to our lab and began the rebuilding phase. We cleaned the space, surplussed, repaired and reordered the damaged equipment, and rebuilt. Common spaces such as autoclave, ice, printer, and lunch and conference rooms were not re-opened until March. This incident drastically delayed the ordering of equipment and consumables and our ability to start developing our scientific projects. As of today, several essential pieces of equipment havent been received yet, hindering our ability to perform certain experiments. Our Animal protocol (ASP) has been generated and approved and we are now using the Transnetyx system to organize and maximize our animal colony. Additionally, we have expanded our team, which is currently composed of a lab manager, a part time veterinary technician, a postbac, and two postdocs that will be joining us next month.