Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the recruitment of research positions in Professor Shu Yilai's team at Fudan University, focusing on groundbreaking research in gene therapy for hearing loss and the development of clinical applications [1][2]. Group 1: Professor Shu Yilai's Achievements - Professor Shu Yilai has developed gene therapy drugs for hearing loss and led the world's first clinical trial for congenital hearing loss, successfully restoring hearing and speech in multiple patients [1][2]. - His research has been published in prestigious journals such as The Lancet, BMJ, Nature Medicine, and JAMA Neurology, with significant recognition in the scientific community [1][2][3]. - He has received numerous awards, including the 48th ARO "Clinical Science Innovation Award," making him the first Asian scientist to achieve this honor [3]. Group 2: Research Focus and Innovations - The research team focuses on the mechanisms, prevention, and treatment of hearing loss, establishing a leading domestic and internationally advanced research platform [2]. - Key innovations include exploring the pathogenic mechanisms of common deafness genes and developing new strategies for gene therapy and drug delivery to the inner ear [2]. - The team has successfully developed candidate drugs for OTOF mutation-related hearing loss and conducted the first global clinical trial for congenital hearing loss [2]. Group 3: Recruitment Opportunities - The team is recruiting for positions including assistant researchers, postdoctoral researchers, and research assistants, with a focus on candidates with backgrounds in genetics, biology, clinical medicine, and related fields [4][5][11]. - Postdoctoral positions offer competitive salaries ranging from 300,000 to 500,000 CNY annually, with additional research rewards and opportunities for project leadership [8][9][12]. - The research assistant role requires a master's or bachelor's degree in life sciences or clinical medicine, with skills in molecular biology techniques and clinical research experience preferred [11]. Group 4: Research Platform and Resources - The research platform is supported by Fudan University's Biomedical Research Institute and the National Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, providing a rich clinical resource [14]. - The affiliated hospital has a high patient volume, with over 3.29 million outpatient visits and more than 193,000 surgeries annually, making it a significant base for medical research and education [14]. - The hospital has established a gene and cell therapy center, focusing on innovative treatments for hearing loss and other conditions, and has received multiple awards for its research achievements [15][16].

Core Viewpoint - The collaboration between Fudan University and Seoul National University Hospital has led to significant advancements in gene therapy for hereditary hearing loss, specifically targeting the MPZL2 gene mutation prevalent in East Asian populations, offering potential precision treatment strategies for genetic hearing loss [3][8][19]. Group 1: Research Findings - The study published in Nature Communications demonstrates that a flexible adenine base editor (ABE) can rescue hearing loss in a humanized MPZL2 mouse model with an East Asian founder mutation [3][8]. - Approximately 4.3 billion people globally suffer from disabling hearing loss, with 26 million being congenital cases, highlighting the urgent need for effective treatments [6]. - The MPZL2 gene mutation is identified as a significant cause of autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss, with specific mutations like c.220C>T being common in East Asian populations [7][8]. Group 2: Gene Therapy Innovations - The research team developed a PAM-flexible ABE variant that minimizes off-target effects and successfully restored hearing in mutant mice for at least 20 weeks [9][11]. - The dual-AAV delivery system was utilized to correct abnormal gene expression and restore the integrity of the inner ear structure in the mouse model [11][21]. - The team has previously achieved significant milestones in gene therapy for congenital hearing loss, including the first-in-human clinical trial for OTOF gene therapy, which has shown promising results in restoring hearing and speech [20][24]. Group 3: Future Implications - The advancements in gene therapy for hearing loss could pave the way for treatments of other genetic disorders, enhancing confidence in the application of ABE technology [11][29]. - The research findings have been recognized in top medical journals, indicating a paradigm shift in the treatment of hearing loss and the potential for broader applications in genetic diseases [24][29].