Innovative Swansea research to target hearing loss risks from life-saving antibiotics
In a groundbreaking step towards preventing antibiotic-induced hearing loss, a Swansea University academic has been awarded £125,000 from the Academy of Medical Sciences.
Dr. Emma Kenyon, a lecturer in Neuroscience, has been recognised as part of a £7.6 million initiative through the Academy's Springboard programme, which supports early-career researchers tackling urgent health challenges.
Certain life-saving antibiotics used to treat severe bacterial infections can irreversibly damage the delicate hair cells of the cochlea, resulting in permanent hearing loss, as these cells cannot regenerate.
Dr. Kenyon and her team will explore how these drugs enter and cause damage to hair cells, targeting solutions to protect them and preserve hearing.
Dr. Kenyon said, "Our project will explore how changing the expression of specific Rab GTPases, known to control transport in the cell (making sure things move to the right place at the right time), can improve hair cell survival after antibiotic treatment.
"We will also examine whether compounds that are known to protect hair cells also alter Rab GTPase expression with the aim of preserving patients' hearing."
This latest round of funding from the Academy has been awarded to 62 promising scientists across 41 UK institutions, with support from the UK Government's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Wellcome, and the British Heart Foundation.
It marks a decade of Springboard awards, bringing the total investment to £43.8 million since the scheme launched in 2015.
Professor James Naismith FRS FRSE FMedSci, Vice-President (Non-Clinical) at the Academy of Medical Sciences, said, "This record investment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to supporting the next generation of research leaders. By backing these talented early-career researchers, we're not only addressing today's urgent health challenges but also strengthening the UK's position as a global leader in medical research. The breadth and ambition of projects funded by the Academy's Springboard programme is remarkable–from understanding teenage drinking behaviours to investigating why women are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer's disease.
"Each Springboard awardee brings fresh perspectives and innovative approaches that will ultimately translate to improved health outcomes for patients and the public. The Academy is proud to provide the financial resources and career development support needed to help these outstanding scientists establish their independent research careers."
UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said, "Research supported by the Springboard programme can help to address some of the most pressing health challenges, like antimicrobial resistance and cancer, by giving early-career researchers across the UK the opportunity to test their ideas.
"Through this programme, we are supporting the next generation of researchers to lead their own groundbreaking research so that the UK can continue to be a pioneer in medical science."
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Founded in 1920, Swansea University is a research-led institution with two campuses along Swansea Bay in south Wales, UK. Its scenic beachfront location and welcoming atmosphere attract more than 28,000 students from around the world. The University offers approximately 450 undergraduate and 350 postgraduate programmes across three academic faculties.
In 2024, Swansea achieved its highest-ever ranking in the QS World University Rankings 2025, reaching 298th globally and entering the top 300 for the first time. It was also named Welsh University of the Year 2025 by The Times and Sunday Times, and ranked 29th in the Guardian University Guide 2025.
The 2021 Research Excellence Framework rated 86% of Swansea's research and 91% of its research environment as world-leading or internationally excellent, with 86% of its research impact recognised as outstanding.
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For more information, please contact Ffion White, Swansea University Press Office. Call 01792 602706, or email: f.e.white@swansea.ac.uk.
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