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The University of Minnesota Otopathology Laboratory has been under the direction of Dr. Michael Paparella for 37 years.  The laboratory has collected 1911 human temporal bones representing most diseases and conditions of the ear.  It also houses temporal bones from a variety of animal species including rat, mouse, guinea pig, chinchilla, dolphin, owl, sheep, and dog. The laboratory has trained more than 120 research fellows from 26 countries [please see the list of International Hearing Foundation (IHF) fellows].  Over 200 studies of human temporal bones and more than 50 experimental animal studies on a variety of subjects have been published.

 Carolyn Sutherland is the technician who acquires, processes, cuts and stains the specimens.  The laboratory is also staffed with a full time Otolaryngologist, Sebahattin Cureoglu, M.D., Vladimir Tsuprun, Ph.D., and a Sr. Scientist, Pat Schachern.  We currently are fortunate to have four visiting research fellows from Japan and one fellow from Turkey. A Fulbright scholar from Brazil was recently trained in our laboratory in the art of temporal bone processing and has returned home to establish the first temporal bone laboratory in South America. A variety of techniques are utilized in our laboratory including those of light microscopy, electron microscopy, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, immunogold and insitu hybridization. 

In addition to clinical studies, current projects in the laboratory include:  The relationship between congenital heart disease and ear anomalies; The relationship between Type I diabetes and ear pathology; Studies involving the MIF knockout mouse in otitis media; Mucopolysaccharidosis I, III, and VII; Remodeling of the extracellular matrix in otitis media; Remodeling of the extracellular matrix in otosclerosis; Structure of stereocilia side links and morphology of auditory hair bundle related to noise exposure; A longitudinal study of Scheibes dysplasia in Dalmatian dogs; Age related changes of the organ of Corti; Cochlear pathology induced by gentamycin; and Gentamycin induced vestibular pathology.

The laboratory is supported by the International Hearing Foundation, the 5 M Lions International, R01 DC006452-01A2 "Effect of Middle ear Inflammation on the Inner Ear" and NIH NIDCD P30 DC 4660.

Researchers and Staff of the Paparella Otopathology Laboratory (Left to Right): Shin Kariya M.D., Kazuyasu Baba M.D., Hisaki Fukushima M.D., Vladimir Tsuprun Ph.D., Carolyn Sutherland, Patricia Schachern Sr. Scientist.

Contact Address: 

Paparella Otopathology Laboratory

University of Minnesota

Department of Otolaryngology

420 Delaware Street SE

Minneapolis, MN, 55455