Contact: Kara Gavin
University of Michigan Health System
Caption: These delicate hair cells from the inner ear of mice were tested to see the effects of powerful antibiotics on structures that are crucial to hearing. At left, cells that were exposed to the antibiotic gentamycin showed signs of high levels of damaging free radicals (seen in green). But cells treated with the veterinary drug apramycin. shown at right, didn't show these effects -- adding to evidence that this drug could be used to treat humans without damaging hearing.
Credit: University of Michigan, Schacht laboratory
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