Witnessing a revolution in voice research: genomics, tissue engineering, biochips and what's next!
Due to advances in genomics and tissue engineering, new tools and methods are available for use in voice research. Microarray analysis, a method for examining the expression levels of thousand of genes within 24-48 hours, is a very powerful research tool and has greatly hastened the development of biochips for medical application. The use of microarray analysis in voice research will be discussed and the feasibility of a biochip for voice is presented. Gene expression profiles, a fundamental part of biochip development, are now commonly performed in some voice laboratories. Tissue engineering initiatives have led to the ability to grow and work with laryngeal fibroblasts, Because of the extreme conditions (intense vibration, exposure to inhalants, etc.) that vocal fold fibroblasts tolerate, engineering living lamina propria of vocal folds is complex and challenging. Research efforts to explore these conditions in-vitro and their effect on fibroblast growth is detailed. In summary, applying tools from genomic and tissue engineering fields to vocal science is fruitful and holds great clinical promise.
Gray
Steven
S
Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Thibeault
Susan
S
Tresco
Patrick
P
D015536:Down-Regulation; D015870:Gene Expression; D036281:Genetic Research; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D040081:Protein Array Analysis; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D015854:Up-Regulation; D014831:Voice