otopathology laboratory at the university of minnesota

Michael M. Paparella, M.D.

The Otopathology Laboratory at the University of Minnesota has been collecting and processing human and animal temporal bones since 1971. The director of the laboratory, Dr. Michael M. Paparella, has been an international leader in the anatomic and pathologic evaluation of human and animal temporal bones for over 40 years. He has published more than 60 books, 140 chapters, and over 500 peer-reviewed journal publications. The collection has grown to over 2,000 human temporal bones. It also houses temporal bones from a variety of animal species including rat, mouse, guinea pig, chinchilla, cat, dolphin, owl, sheep, and dog. The laboratory has trained more than 145 research fellows from 26 countries. Over 200 studies of human temporal bones and more than 60 experimental animal studies on a variety of subjects have been published. The laboratory is a member of the NIDCD National Temporal Bone Registry. 

We have created a human temporal bone website to educate and provide information on some aspects of hearing and balance disorders. The website of the Otopathology Laboratory of the University of Minnesota (www.otopathology.com) is the first of its kind.

A variety of techniques that are currently used in our laboratory include light microscopy, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization.

Monika Schachern is the technician who acquires, processes, cuts, and stains the specimen. The laboratory has been functioning with the following researchers: Sebahattin Cureoglu, M.D., Meredith Adams, M.D., Vladimir Tsuprun, Ph.D., and a Sr. Scientist, Pat Schachern. We have been working with Dr. Peter Santi, Ph.D., who is one of the pioneers in TSLIM imaging in the world.

For TSLIM processing of the human temporal bones, Dr. Santi has a fully equipped laboratory in Lions Research Building. In addition, histologic data are shared with other interested investigators using the website which is hosted on a central University server at the following URL: http://mousecochlea.umn.edu. We have been collaborating with the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and the House Research Institute otopathology laboratories.

Back row left to right: Shane Johnson, Peter Santi, Ph.D., Christina Hederstierna, M.D., Ph.D., Dai Shibata, M.D. Front row left to right: Meredith Adams, M.D., Monika Schachern, Melissa Vianna, M.D., Ph.D., Vladimir Tsuprun, Ph.D., Sebahattin Cureoglu, M.D.

The laboratory is supported by the International Hearing Foundation, the 5M Lions International, and NIH NIDCD.

Contact information:

University of Minnesota
Otopathology Laboratory
2001 6th Street S.E.
Lions Research Building, Room 210
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612-624-5466 (phone)
612-626-9871 (fax)

Director: Michael M. Paparella, M.D.
Email: papar001@umn.edu
612-339-4171 (phone)
612-339-9741 (fax)

Investigators:

Michael M. Paparella, M.D.
Email: papar001@umn.edu

Peter Santi, Ph.D.
Email: psanti@umn.edu

Sebahattin Cureoglu, M.D.
Email: cureo003@umn.edu

Vladimir Tsuprun, Ph.D.
Email: tsupr001@umn.edu

Meredith Adams, M.D.
Email: meadams@umn.edu