News and Announcements
News
International Conference on Cell Replacement in the Inner Ear
The International Conference on Cell Replacement in the Inner Ear is scheduled for June 12-15, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency, Bethesda, MD. The conference is on cell replacement in the inner ear and will serve as a forum to stimulate research in regeneration biology of the cochlea, vestibule, and primary neural pathways. Conference attendees will be exposed to the latest advances in regeneration research methods, both in the ear and in other systems, from investigators around the world. All potential methods to restore function will be discussed including spontaneous and induced regeneration, genetic modification, stem cells, viral vectors, growth factors and delivery systems. The conference content and organization reflects the commitment of the Deafness Research Foundation to accelerate progress in biologic methods to hasten the eventual development of treatments that may reverse the effects of damage and disease in the inner ear. The conference is open to all interested scientists, clinicians, and students. In addition to the Deaf Research Foundation, the conference is sponsored by the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and the University of Washington.
Please visit the website to see the full conference program, speakers, and to register online or submit an abstract submission.
http://www.drf.org
Gene therapy could aid some types of vision impairment
For the first time, researchers have used gene therapy to increase light sensitivity and improve vision in patients who were virtually blind, a finding that offers new hope to hundreds of thousands of patients with inherited forms of vision impairment. Although the patients studied have an extremely rare form of blindness called Leber's congenital amaurosis, researchers believe the approach ultimately could be used for a much broader spectrum of disorders, including retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration. Read more...
Events
On-Line Course Fall 2008: Characteristics, Issues, and Trends in Education for Students with Deaf-Blindness
East Carolina University (ECU) is pleased to announce the first course in the new graduate certificate in deaf-blindness:SPED 6810: Characteristics, Issues, and Trends in Education for Students with Deaf-Blindness. We plan to offer the course online during the Fall semester (September 2008)! The course is open to anyone with a bachelor's degree in special education or a related area. In order to be sure we can offer the course this Fall, we need to identify a minimum of 12 -- 15 people who would be interested in taking SPED 6810: Characteristics, Issues, and Trends in Education for Students with Deaf-Blindness (3 Credit Hours). If you want to take the course during the Fall 2008 semester please email your full name to Alana Zambone (zambonea@ecu.edu) and Melissa Engleman (englemanm@ecu.edu) as soon as possible.
Some Important Facts:
1. The course will be taught on-line and is accessible to anyone across the state, the country, or overseas.
2. If interested, you can register as a non-degree/visitor student in two weeks, but we need your name as soon as possible. Please email your name to zambonea@ecu.edu and englemanm@ecu.edu.
3. To register you will click on or copy into your web browser: http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/gradschool/applicationinfo.cfm#apply
Follow the directions to apply to the graduate school as a Non-degree/Visitor. Please do not hesitate to email or call if you have any questions.
Some Important Facts:
1. The course will be taught on-line and is accessible to anyone across the state, the country, or overseas.
2. If interested, you can register as a non-degree/visitor student in two weeks, but we need your name as soon as possible. Please email your name to zambonea@ecu.edu and englemanm@ecu.edu.
3. To register you will click on or copy into your web browser: http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/gradschool/applicationinfo.cfm#apply
Follow the directions to apply to the graduate school as a Non-degree/Visitor. Please do not hesitate to email or call if you have any questions.
New Publications
CHARGE Syndrome Professional Packet
This material was developed by the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation in an effort to bring together the accumulating knowledge for educational and other specialists who work with individuals with CHARGE. This packet is an attempt to provide educational professionals with a brief introduction to CHARGE, its complexities, and some strategies to consider in educational and therapeutic settings. It includes a reprint of an article from ASHA Leader, which contains an overview of genetics, clinical diagnosis, ears and hearing, feeding, behavior and education, an article by David Brown on Behavior in CHARGE, and other sections which include tips on how to think about the child with CHARGE and the classroom. It is available at the Foundation's website. http://chargesyndrome.org/resources-professionalpacket.asp
New CD Rom on CHARGE Syndrome
Dr. Jan van Dijk along with Dr. Catherine Nelson and Arno de Kort, MD, have produced a new CD-Rom that updates information from both the 2002 and 2005 editions. This newest version emphasizes the effect of intervention strategies specific to challenging behaviors, feeding problems, depression, cochlear implantation, communication and the development of literacy. Order info: www.aapnootmuis.com.