Elisabeth B. Glowatzki, PhD

Primary Academic Title

Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Background

Centers and Institutes

• Hearing and Balance, Center for
• Sensory Biology, Center for

CV

http://neuroscience.jhu.edu/research/faculty/32

X (Twitter)

https://twitter.com/GlowatzkiL

Additional Academic Titles

Professor of Neuroscience

Contact for Research Inquiries

720 Rutland Avenue
Ross 824
Baltimore, MD 21205

Phone: (410) 502-7008
Fax: (410) 614-4748

Research Interests

Function of efferent feedback pathways from the brain to the inner ear, Physiology and function of the inner ear, specifically synaptic transmission between hair cells and auditory or vestibular nerve fibers, Regeneration of inner ear connections between hair cells and nerve fibers using stem cell

Lab Website

Elizabeth Glowatzki Lab - Lab Website

Research Summary

In the inner ear, the cochlea perceives sound signals and the vestibular organs perceive rotations of our head. In both organs, the sensory cells, hair cells, perceive a mechanical signal, and convert it into an electrical signal, that is transmitted to the brain, via auditory or vestibular nerve fibers. Our research focuses on understanding this first step in the auditory and vestibular pathways, the synaptic transmission of the sound or head movement signal from hair cell to nerve fiber. It is crucial for our correct sense of hearing and balance, that the incoming signals tothe brain is coded precisely. Deficits in this first step of signal transmission to the brain may cause deficits in hearing or balance, and a better understanding of these mechanisms will allow us to find better cures for pathologies in hearing and balance.

Selected Publications

• Fakler B, Brändle U, Glowatzki E, Zenner H -P, Ruppersberg JP, Kir 2.1 inward rectifier K+ channels are regulated independently by protein kinases and ATP hydrolysis. Neuron. 1994; 13:1413-1420.

  Fakler B, Brändle U, Bond C, Glowatzki E, Konig C, Adelman JP, Zenner HP, Ruppersberg JP, A structural determinant of differential sensitivity of cloned inward rectifier K+ channels to intracellular spermine. FEBS Letters. 1994; 356(2-3):199-203.

  Fakler B, Brändle U, Glowatzki E, Weidemann S, Zenner H-P, Ruppersberg JP, Strong voltage-dependent inward rectification of inward rectifier K+ channels is caused by intracellular spermine. Cell. 1995; 80:149-154.

  Glowatzki E, Fakler G, Brändle U, Rexhausen U, Zenner H-P, Ruppersberg JP, Fakler B, Subunit-dependent assembly of inward rectifier K+ channels. Proc R Soc Lond B. 1995; 261: 151-152.

  Glowatzki E, Wild K, Brändle U, Fakler G, Fakler B, Zenner H-P, Ruppersberg JP, Cell-specific expression of the a9 n-ACh receptor subunit in auditory hair cells revealed by single-cell RT-PCR. Proc R Soc Lond B. 1995; 262: 141-147.

  Brändle U, Spielmanns P, Osteroth R,  Sim J, Surprenant A, Buell G, Ruppersberg JP,  Plinkert PK,  Zenner H-P, Glowatzki  E, Desensitization of the P2X2 receptor controlled by alternative splicing. FEBS Letters. 1997; 404: 294-298.

  Glowatzki E,  Ruppersberg JP,  Zenner H-P,  Rüsch A, Mechanically and ATP-induced currents of mouse outer hair cells are independent and differently blocked by d-tubocurarine. Neuropharmacology. 1997; 36(9): 1269-1275.

  Glowatzki, E, Fuchs PA, Cholinergic synaptic inhibition of inner hair cells in the neonatal mammalian cochlea. Science. 2000; 288: 2366-2368.

  Paukert, M, Osteroth, R, Geisler, H-S, Braendle, U, Glowatzki, E, Ruppersberg, JP, Gruender, S, Inflammatory mediators potentiate ATP-gated channels through the P2X3 subunit. J Biol Chem. 2001; 276(24): 21077-21082.

  Glowatzki, E, Fuchs, PA, Transmitter release at the hair cell ribbon synapse. Nature Neuroscience. 2002; (5)2:147-154.

  Glowatzki, E, Holt, JC, Boulter, J, Zadina, JE, Elgoyhen, AB, Guth, PS, The a9/a10-containing nicotinic ACh receptor is directly modulated by opioid peptides, endomorphin-1 and dynorphin B, proposed efferent co-transmitters in the inner ear. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience. 2002; 20:695-711.

  Glowatzki, E, Lioudyno, MI, Fuchs, PA, Elgoyhen, AB, Linopirdine blocks a9a10-containing nicotinic cholinergic receptors of cochlear hair cells. Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology. 2004; 5(3):261-269.

  PA, GlowatzkiE, Developmental regulation of nicotinic synapses on cochlear inner hair cells. Journal of Neuroscience. 2004; 24(36):7814-7820.

  Glowatzki, E, Ryugo, D, Valle, D, PHR1, a PH domain-containing protein, expressed in primary sensory neurons.Molecular and Cellular Biology. 2004; 24(20): 9137-9151. 

  Glowatzki, E, Trimmer, J, Aldrich, R, Extrasynaptic localization of inactivating BK channels in mouse inner hair cells. Journal of Neuroscience. 2004; 24(43):9469-9474.

  Lioudyno, M, Hiel H, Kong, JH, Katz. E, Waldman, E, Parameshwaran-Iyer, S, Glowatzki, E, Fuchs, PA,.A "synaptoplasmic cistern" mediates rapid inhibition of cochlear hair cells. Journal of Neuroscience. 2004; 24(49):11160-11164.

  Glowatzki, E, Facilitating efferent inhibition of inner hair cells in the cochlea of the neonatal rat. Journal of Physiology. 2005; 566.1:49-59.

  Glowatzki, E, Chen, N, Hiel,H, Jin, L, Yi, E, Tanaka, K, Ellis-Davies,JCR, Rothstein,JD, Bergles, DE, The glutamate-aspartate transporter (GLAST) mediates glutamate uptake at inner hair cell afferent synapses in the mammalian cochlea. Journal of Neuroscience. 2006; 26(29):7659-7664.

  Glowatzki, E, Lustig, LR, Progressive deafness and alterered cochlear innervation in knock-out mice lacing prosaposin. Journal of Neuroscience. 2006;26(50):13076-13088.

  Glowatzki, E, Time course and calcium dependence of transmitter release at a single ribbon synapse. PNAS 2007; 104 (41):16341-16346.

  Glowatzki, E, Bergles, DE. The origin of spontaneous activity in the developing auditory system. Nature 2007, 450:50-55.

  Yi, E, Weber, CM, Grant, L, Yoo, J, Clause, A, Kandler, K, Noebels, JL, Glowatzki, E, LustigLR, Edwards, RH, Sensorineural deafness and seizures in mice lacking vesicular glutamate transporter 3. Neuron 2008, 57(2):263-75. 

  Oshima, K, Glowatzki, E,  Edge, ASB  Differentiation of inner ear stem cells to functional sensory neurons. Developmental Biology 2008; 68(5):669-84.

  McLean WJ, Smith KA, Glowatzki E, Pyott SJ. Distribution of the Na,K-ATPase alpha Subunit in the Rat Spiral Ganglion and Organ of Corti. J Assoc Res Otolaryngol. 2009; 10 (1):37-49.

  Glowatzki E, Fuchs P. The postsynaptic function of type II cochlear afferents. Nature 2009; 461(7267):1126-9.

  Glowatzki E. Two modes of release shape the postsynaptic response at the inner hair cell ribbon synapse. Journal of Neuroscience 2010, 30(12):4210-4220.

  Yi E, Roux I, Glowatzki E. Dendritic HCN channels shape excitatory postsynaptic potentials at the inner hair cell afferent synapse in the mammalian cochlea. Journal of Neurophysiol 2010; 103(5):2532-43.

  Goutman JD, Glowatzki E. Short-term facilitation modulates size and timing of the synaptic response at the inner hair cell ribbon synapse. Journal of Neuroscience 2011; 31(22):7974-81. PMCID: PMC3125715.

  Roux I, Wersinger E, McIntosh JM, Fuchs PA, Glowatzki E.Onset of cholinergic efferent synaptic function in sensory hair cells of the rat cochlea. Journal of Neuroscience 2011; 31(42):15092-101. PMCID: PMC3213862.

  Weisz CJC, Lehar M, Hiel H, Glowatzki E, Fuchs PA. Synaptic Transfer from Outer Hair Cells to Type II Afferent Fibers in the Rat Cochlea. Journal of Neuroscience 2012; 32(28):9528-9536.

  Korrapati S, Roux I, Glowatzki E, Doetzlhofer A. Notch signaling limits supporting cell plasticity in the hair cell-damaged early postnatal murine cochlea. PLoS One 2013; 8(8):e73276.

  Weisz CJC, Glowatzki, E, Fuchs, P. Excitability of Type II Cochlear Afferents. Journal of Neuroscience 2014; 34(6):2365-2373.

Courses & Syllabi

• Structure and Function of the Auditory and Vestibular System Center for Hearing and Balance, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Lecturer. Since 8/2013: Director., BME 580.625, 1/1/04 - 1/1/13
• Neuroscience Elective Course: Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Synaptic Transmission, Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Spring 2007; Spring 2009; Spring, 2011; 2.30-5pm weekly, 9 weeks, WBSB 903 (Instructor together with Dr. Dwight Bergles, Dr. Paul Worley, Dr. Solange Brown)., ME:440-707, 1/1/07
• Cellular and Molecular Biology of Sensation, Johns Hopkins University, lecture series for undergraduate students. Lecturer., 1/1/09 - 1/1/14

Honors

• 2023 Pioneer Award in Basic Science, Association for Research in Otolaryngology, 2/13/23
• Leadership program for Woman Faculty, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 1/1/09
• Burt Evans Young Investigator Award, National Organization for Hearing Research Foundation, 2/1/04
• Deutsche Akademische Austauschdienst, German academic exchange program, 1/1/97

Lectures & Presentations

• Afferent Synaptic Transmission at the Hair Cell Ribbon Synapse, Department of Neurobiology Seminar Series, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, 1/1/14
• Afferent Synaptic Transmission at the Hair Cell Ribbon Synapse, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Speaker Series, Northwestern University, Chicago, 1/1/14
• Afferent Synaptic Transmission in the Inner Ear: A Comparison of Mechanisms at Work in the Cochlea and in the Vestibular System, Auditory Neuroscience Research Retreat; Keynote Address, University of Iowa, Iowa City, 1/1/13
• Cellular Mechanisms underlying Auditory Nerve Fiber Activity in the Inner Ear, Hearing Center Seminar Series, Boston University, Boston, 1/1/14
• Cholinergic synaptic currents in inner hair cells before the onset of hearing, Neuroscience Department, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, 1/1/99
• Dendritic regulation of afferent activity at the inner hair cell ribbon synapse, Symposium on Ribbon synapses: physiology, molecular dynamics, College de France, Paris, 1/1/06
• Expression of a P2X, School of Biological Sciences, 2 receptor splice variant in auditory hair cells, University of Sussex, Brighton, 1/1/96
• Glutamatergic neurotransmission at the vestibular hair cell - calyx synapse, Ribbon Synapses Symposium, Goettingen, 1/1/11
• Identification of the mRNA of ion channel subunits in hair cells of the mammalian cochlea, Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology, Houston, 1/1/96
• Innervation and synaptic transmission in the developing mammalian cochlea, 'Physiological Approaches to Ion Channel Biology', Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Courses, Cold Spring Harbor, 1/1/00
• Maturation of Synaptic Transmission at the Inner Hair Cell Afferent Synapse, 7th Molecular Biology of Hearing and Deafness, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 1/1/09
• Maturation of Synaptic Transmission at the Inner Hair Cell Afferent Synapse, Minisymposium on "Functional Properties of Synaptic Transmission in Primary Sensory Organs", Neuroscience Meeting, Chicago, 1/1/09
• Mechanism for coding sound at the hair cell's afferent synapse, Symposium on 'Modulation of Primary Sensory Function', 51st Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society, Baltimore, 1/1/07
• Mechanism underlying Adaptation at the Inner Hair Cell Ribbon Synapse in the Mammalian Cochlea, Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, 1/1/07
• Mechanisms for setting up Firing Rates in Auditory and Vestibular Nerve Fibers, Seminar Series at the Eaton Peabody Laboratories of Auditory Research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 1/1/14
• Molecular basis and physiology of ligand-gated ion channels in sensory cells of the mammalian cochlea, Medical Sciences, Department of Physiology, University of Bristol, UK, 1/1/96
• Molecular basis and physiology of P2X receptors in hair cells of the mammalian cochlea, School of Medicine, Center of Hearing Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, 1/1/97
• Molecular determinants of P2X, 2 receptor desensitization in outer hair cells of the rat cochlea, International Union of the Physiological Sciences, St Petersburg, 1/1/97
• Postsynaptic activity at the inner hair cell-afferent fiber, Symposium 'Signal Transduction in the Auditory System', Max-Planck Institut fuer Experimentelle Medizin, Goettingen, 1/1/01
• Postsynaptic currents at the hair cell ribbon synapse, Physiological Society, Research Symposium 'Building Hearing', University College London, London, 1/1/02
• Postsynaptic mechanism enabling high fidelity signaling at the inner hair cell afferent synapse, Society for Neuroscience 35th Annual Meeting, Washington DC, 1/1/05
• Properties of synaptic transmission at different hair cell ribbon synapses, Symposium on Molecular Anatomy and Physiology of the Ribbon Synapse, Association of Research in Otolaryngology Midwinter Meeting 2012, San Diego, 1/1/12
• Properties of transmitter release at the hair cell afferent synapse, NIH Neuroscience Series, Bethesda, 1/1/09
• Synaptic inhibition of cochlear hair cells, Symposium 'Olivocochlear Feedback': Mechanism and Function, Association for Research in Otolaryngology Midwinter Meeting, St Petersburg, 1/1/01
• Synaptic transmission at different hair cell ribbon synapses, Sensory Neuroscience and Neuroengineering Seminar Series, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, 1/1/12
• Synaptic transmission at different hair cell ribbon synapses, Johns Hopkins University Department of Neuroscience Annual Retreat, St Michaels, 1/1/12
• Synaptic transmission at the hair cell afferent synapse in the mammalian cochlea, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, 1/1/07
• Synaptic transmission at the hair cell ribbon synapse, Neuroscience Seminar, University of Oregon, Eugene, 1/1/06
• Synaptic transmission at the hair cells in the inner ear, Vollum Institute, Vollum Seminar Series, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, 1/1/02
• Synaptic transmission at the inner hair cell ribbon synapse in the mammalian cochlea, Zoophysiology and Behavior Group, University of Oldenburg, Germany, 1/1/08
• Synaptic transmission in the inner ear, American Auditory Society, Scottsdale, 1/1/11
• Synaptic transmission in the mammalian cochlea, Kresge Hearing Research Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1/1/02
• Synaptic Transmission in the Mammalian Cochlea, Gordon Conference Auditory System, New London, 1/1/08
• Time course and calcium dependence of transmitter release at the hair cell ribbon synapse, FASEB Summer Research Conferences, Retina; Neurobiology and Visual Processing, Snowmass, 1/1/08
• Transmitter release at a single ribbon synapse, Neuroscience Department, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 1/1/08
• Transmitter release at the hair cell afferent synapse: mechanisms underlying high fidelity signaling in the inner ear, Sensory Biology: Understanding our Windows to the Worlds, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, 1/1/06
• Transmitter release at the hair cell ribbon synapse, Society for Neuroscience 32nd Annual Meeting, Orlando, 1/1/02
• Transmitter release at the hair cell ribbon synapse, University of Texas Medical Center Seminar Series, Houston, 1/1/05
• Transmitter release at the hair cell ribbon synapse, Eaton Peabody Laboratory, Boston, 1/1/07
• Transmitter release at the inner hair cell ribbon synapse, Rutgers Woman in Neuroscience Seminar Series, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, 1/1/08
• Two modes of release shape the postsynaptic activity at the inner hair cell afferent synapse, The Vollum Institute Seminar Series, Portland, 1/1/10
• Two modes of release shape the postsynaptic activity at the inner hair cell afferent synapse, Sensory Transduction, The gateway to perception: mechanisms and pathology, International Titisee Conferences, Titisee, 1/1/10

Memberships

• American Physiological Society
• Animal Research Committee, Association for Research in Otolaryngology
• Association for Research in Otolaryngology
• Federation of European Neuroscience Societies
• German Neuroscience Society (Neurowissenschaftliche Gesellschaft)
• Society for Neuroscience

Professional Activities

• Audiology & Neuro-Otology, Peer reviewer
• Cell and Tissue Research, Peer reviewer
• Current Biology, Peer reviewer
• eLife, Peer reviewer
• Hearing Research, Editorial Board, 1/1/14
• Johns Hopkins Office of Women in Science and Medicine, Advisory Board, 1/1/13
• Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Leadership program for Woman Faculty, 1/1/09 - 1/1/10
• Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Master Mentor Program, 1/1/12 - 1/1/13
• Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Organizer of the Center for Hearing and Balance Seminar Series, 1/1/07 - 1/1/12
• Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Postdoctoral Affairs Advisory Board, 1/1/14
• Journal of Comparative Neurology, Peer reviewer
• Journal of Neurochemistry, Peer reviewer
• Journal of Neuroscience Methods, Peer reviewer
• Journal of the Association of Research in Otolaryngology (JARO), Peer reviewer
• Neuron, Peer reviewer
• Neuroscience, Peer reviewer
• Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, guest editor, 1/1/13
• Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Peer reviewer
• The Journal of Neurophysiology, Peer reviewer
• The Journal of Neuroscience, Peer reviewer
• The Journal of Physiology, Peer reviewer

Additional Training

Eberhard-Karls University, Teubingen, Germany, 1996, Neuroscience and Hearing; Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 2000, Neuroscience and Hearing