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A. James Hudspeth (1945-2025): A pioneer in the biology and physics of hearing.

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Title: A. James Hudspeth (1945-2025): A pioneer in the biology and physics of hearing.
Authors: Martin, Pascal1 pascal.martin@curie.fr, Howard, Jonathon2 joe.howard@yale.edu
Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 3/17/2026, Vol. 123 Issue 11, p1-2. 2p.
Subjects: Hair cells, Mechanotransduction (Cytology), Auditory perception, Cochlea physiology, Inner ear physiology, Auditory pathways
Abstract: This article focuses on the scientific contributions and legacy of A. James Hudspeth, a pioneering neuroscientist who dedicated five decades to understanding how hair cells in the inner ear mediate hearing and balance. Hudspeth elucidated the mechanoelectrical transduction process by which hair bundles convert mechanical vibrations into electrical signals, developing the influential gating-spring model and demonstrating that hair cells actively amplify auditory inputs. His interdisciplinary approach combined biology and physics, leading to insights into hair-cell development, regeneration, and cochlear mechanics. Over his career, Hudspeth mentored numerous scientists, contributed to foundational neuroscience literature, and advanced the understanding of auditory physiology with implications for addressing hearing impairments. [Extracted from the article]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:This article focuses on the scientific contributions and legacy of A. James Hudspeth, a pioneering neuroscientist who dedicated five decades to understanding how hair cells in the inner ear mediate hearing and balance. Hudspeth elucidated the mechanoelectrical transduction process by which hair bundles convert mechanical vibrations into electrical signals, developing the influential gating-spring model and demonstrating that hair cells actively amplify auditory inputs. His interdisciplinary approach combined biology and physics, leading to insights into hair-cell development, regeneration, and cochlear mechanics. Over his career, Hudspeth mentored numerous scientists, contributed to foundational neuroscience literature, and advanced the understanding of auditory physiology with implications for addressing hearing impairments. [Extracted from the article]
ISSN:00278424
DOI:10.1073/pnas.2603885123