The goal of this project is to study the molecular background of various congenital disorders affecting the cranial nerves, which are important in senses (hearing, vision, smell), facial muscle movements and more. Abnormal cranial nerve development can cause hearing loss, eye-movement disorders, facial weakness, loss of smell, and difficulties with respiration and swallowing. Some individuals may also have other motor, sensory, intellectual, behavioral and social disabilities. These disorders cause significant disability and are caused by genetic variants, often novel variation or de novo. Unfortunately, disorders affecting the 8th cranial nerve or vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII), important in hearing and balance, have been largely understudied. As various cranial nerves can be affected together, such as in Moebius syndrome, and as the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) and facial nerve (CN VII) also share a path in the internal auditory canal, it is likely that these disorders share underlying genes or closely interacting genes. To investigate the genetic architecture of cranial nerve abnormalities we suggest to molecularly investigate an in-house CN VIII cohort and other cranial dysinnervation cohorts. We will study rare genomic variants (both small variant as structural variants) to identify shared molecular pathways and genes amongst individuals with cranial dysinnervation disorders.

This is an UNPAID research project.

Faculty Advisor

  • Professor: Isabelle Schrauwen
  • Department/School: VP&S
  • Location: Neurological Institite
  • We are a group of statistical geneticists in The Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center and Department of Neurology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. We focus on both the research and education of statistical genetics and genetic epidemiology.

Project Timeline

  • Earliest starting date: 3/1/2021
  • End date: 8/30/2021
  • Number of hours per week of research expected during Spring 2021: ~8
  • Number of hours per week of research expected during Summer 2021: ~15

Candidate requirements

  • Skill sets: preferred: R, bash
  • Student eligibility: freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, master’s
  • International students on F1 or J1 visa: eligible
  • Academic Credit Possible: Yes