David Paul Corey serves as the Bertarelli Professor of Translational Medical Science at Harvard Medical School's Department of Neurobiology. His research focuses on mechanotransduction in vertebrate hair cells, particularly the structural and functional analysis of tip-link proteins (CDH23, PCDH15) and transduction channels (TMC1/2). The Corey Laboratory develops gene therapies for Usher syndrome and hereditary deafness using advanced techniques including X-ray crystallography Single-molecule force spectroscopy Adeno-associated viral vectors Cryo-electron microscopy Current translational work targets Usher syndrome type 1F through dual-AAV delivery systems and base editing approaches. The lab employs multidisciplinary methods combining biophysics , molecular genetics , and nanomechanical modeling to understand and treat sensory deficits. Recent publications highlight breakthroughs in Mini-PCDH15 protein design Primate gene therapy safety Transduction channel pore characterization Therapeutic force spectroscopy with ongoing clinical translation efforts. Scientific distinctions include: Bertarelli Foundation Professorship NIH grant collaborations Leadership in mechanotransduction
