Getting to the Root of It All: The Anatomical Record Explores Advances in Gene and Stem Cell Therapy in the Treatment of Hearing, Balance and Other Head and Neck Disorders

From specialized skin to sensing whiskers to unique depth perception mechanisms to novel eyes and much, much more: The distinctive ways marine mammals interact with their world are explored in a Special Issue of the The Anatomical Record

“…This has been a thread weaving through our journal both by focused Special Issues and independent reports. Some examples of the former can be found in: the Special Issue, “Evolution of the Special Senses in Primates,” Guest Edited by expert comparative anatomists Nathanial Dominy and Callum Ross, both of the University of Chicago, and our own Associate Editor, Tim Smith (who doubles as a magnificent artist whose work has often graced our covers) of Slippery Rock University (Dominy et al, 2004; Laitman, 2004); a most sweet‐smelling Special Issue on “The Vertebrate Nose: Evolution, Structure, and Function,” Guest Edited by frequent contributors Blaire Van Valkenburgh of the University of California, Los Angeles, Brett Craven of Pennsylvania State University, and that Timothy Smith fellow again (Laitman, 2014; Laitman & Albertine, 2014; Van Valkenburgh et al, 2014); and two extraordinary Special Issues loudly broadcasting cutting‐edge science exploring balance, hearing, and olfaction: “The Anatomy and Biology of Hearing and Balance: Cochlear and Vestibular Implants” and “Novel Stem Cell and Gene Therapies for Hearing, Balance and Olfaction,” both Guest Edited by anatomist extraordinaire and long‐time contributor and supporter of the journal, Thomas Van De Water, now Professor Emeritus of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (Laitman, 2012; Laitman & Albertine, 2012, 2020; Van De Water, 2012, 2020).…”