In his Ph.D., Suraj has worked on getting a detailed account of hair bundle development on mouse cochlear hair cells from embryonic to postnatal stages, to establish major developmental milestones. Hair bundle is comprised of several actin-based stereocilia and a single tubulin based kinocilium. He has assessed several actin regulators with a focus on the function of ezrin and radixin proteins. In addition to proper hair bundle formation, their correct orientation is essential for cochlear function.
In his current role as a post-doctoral associate in Tarchini lab, Suraj intends to mechanistically understand the early development of hair bundles and the establishment of hair cell orientation in the mouse cochlea.