LSU Department
of Otolaryngology

Head and Neck Surgery

Jennifer J. Lentz Laboratory for Usher Syndrome Research

 

The overall goals of Dr. Lentz's research are to understand the mechanisms of Usher syndrome, and to develop therapeutic approaches to prevent or cure the deafness, imbalance, and blindness associated with the disease. Currently her lab targets mutations in the USH1C gene with antisense, gene, and CRISPR-based therapies using cell lines and a knock-in mouse model of Usher syndrome.

 

Lentz

Dr. Jennifer J. Lentz

Jennifer J. Lentz is an Associate Professor of Otolaryngology & Biocommunications and a member of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence at LSU Health in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.   Dr. Lentz is also adjunct in the Departments of Ophthalmology and Genetics.

Currently her lab targets mutations in the USH1C gene with antisense, gene, and CRISPR-based therapies using cell lines and a knock-in mouse model of Usher syndrome. Her lab uses a wide range of molecular, immunohistochemical, imaging, electrophysiological, and behavioral laboratory techniques, including electroretinogram (ERG), auditory evoked brainstem response (ABR), distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), acoustic startle response (ASR), and open field analysis in Usher mice. Dr. Lentz also conducts several Natural History Studies – both retrospective and prospective - with Usher syndrome patients to better understand the molecular epidemiology and natural clinical and socio-demographic histories of Usher syndrome.

 


Lentz Lab Research Highlights

The lab offers Usher Syndrome in Louisiana Community Symposiums

 

Learn More

 

Selected Publications

 

A Complete List of Published Work

 

 

Jennifer J. Lentz Laboratory for Usher Mouse Images

gamboa

Image of a mouse cochlea.

-From Dr. Lentz's study on Usher Syndrome.

 

gamboa

Image of the anterior cristae of a mouse.

-From Dr. Lentz's study on Usher Syndrome.

mouse-saccule

Image of a mouse saccule.

-From Dr. Lentz's study on Usher Syndrome.

 

utricle

Usher Mouse Image

Image from Dr. Lentz' study on Usher Syndrome of a mouse utricle.

 

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