Professor Marcelo Rivolta

School of Biosciences

Professor of Sensory Stem Cell Biology

Marcelo Rivolta
Profile picture of Marcelo Rivolta
m.n.rivolta@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 2385

Full contact details

Professor Marcelo Rivolta
School of Biosciences
Firth Court
Western Bank
91Ö±²¥
S10 2TN
Profile
  • 2013-present: Professor of Sensory Stem Cell Biology, School of Biosciences, University of 91Ö±²¥. UK.
  • 2012-2013: Reader in Sensory Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, University of 91Ö±²¥. UK.
  • 2003-2011: Senior Research Fellow, Department of Biomedical Science, University of 91Ö±²¥. UK.
  • 2001-2003: Research Fellow, Department of Biomedical Science, University of 91Ö±²¥. UK.
  • 1998-2001: Research Fellow, Department of Physiology, University of Bristol. UK.
  • 1995-1998: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Physiology, University of Bristol. UK.
  • 1992-1995: Ph.D., NIH. Bethesda, Maryland, USA and University of Córdoba, Argentina.
  • 1992-1995: Visiting Associate at the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, NIDCD, NIH. Bethesda. Maryland. USA.
  • 1992-1991: Visiting Fellow at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, NIDCD, NIH. Bethesda. Maryland. USA.
  • 1989-1991: Visiting Fellow at the Laboratory of Cellular Biology, NIDCD, NIH. Bethesda. Maryland. USA.
  • 1989: M.D. School of Medicine, University of Córdoba. Argentina.
  • 1984-1989: Research Assistant. Institute of Cell Biology and Department of Histology, Embryology and Genetics. School of Medicine, University of Córdoba. Argentina.
Research interests

Deafness is a major public health issue worldwide, with more than 3 million people in the UK alone enduring a moderate to profound hearing loss. The Rivolta laboratory is dedicated to study the biology and behaviour of auditory stem cells (primarily human) and to explore their potential to regenerate the damaged inner ear.

Hearing Research Group

Regenerative therapies for hearing loss: The development and use of human stem cells

Hearing loss has substantial personal, social and economic implications. It is most commonly caused by damage to the sensory hair cells and/or the auditory neurons in the cochlea. One possible therapeutic path would be to use otic progenitors generated in vitro to functionally replace the damaged cells.

Our group has made key advances developing stem cell technologies into a potentially viable therapy. We isolated a population of stem cells from the human fetal cochlea, and we have developed robust protocols to drive otic differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells.

We also have established the proof of concept that hESC-derived otic progenitors can repair the damaged cochlea. We demonstrated that transplanted cells can graft into an animal model of auditory neuropathy, and elicit functional recovery as measured by auditory brainstem thresholds.

In an integrative regenerative medicine strategy, we are now exploring the combination of stem cells with cochlear implants, aiming to develop a true bionic implant. This device should conceptually combine stem cells with stimulatory electrodes.

For this we are developing animal models of cell transplantation and implantation. On a parallel strategy, we are also using stem cells to develop in vitro platforms that would facilitate drug discovery and analysis.

We have several collaborations with industry and academia, within the UK as well as worldwide. We are part of Otostem, an international consortium with partners in Stanford, Harvard, Geneva, Uppsala, Tübigen and Marseille.

Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Journal articles

  • Boddy SL, Chen W, Romero-Guevara R, Kottam L, Bellantuono I & Rivolta MN (2012) . Regen Med, 7(6), 757-767. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Chen W, Jongkamonwiwat N, Abbas L, Eshtan SJ, Johnson SL, Kuhn S, Milo M, Thurlow JK, Andrews PW, Marcotti W , Moore HD et al (2012) . Nature, 490(7419), 278-282. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Chen W, Johnson SL, Marcotti W, Andrews PW, Moore HD & Rivolta MN (2009) . Stem Cells, 27(5), 1196-1204. RIS download Bibtex download

All publications

Journal articles

  • Li H, Agrawal S, Rohani SA, Zhu N, Cacciabue DI, Rivolta MN, Hartley DEH, Jiang D, Ladak HM, O’Donoghue GM & Rask-Andersen H (2022) . Scientific Reports, 12, 1-6. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Solis-Castro OO, Rivolta MN & Boissonade FM (2022) . International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(5). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Solis Castro O, Rivolta M & Boissonade F (2020) . Stem Cells Translational Medicine. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Boddy SL, Romero-Guevara R, Ji A-R, Unger C, Corns L, Marcotti W & Rivolta MN (2020) . Stem Cells International, 2020. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sponchioni M, O'Brien CT, Borchers C, Wang E, Rivolta MN, Penfold NJW, Canton I & Armes SP (2019) . Chemical Science, 11(1), 232-240. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Abbas L & Rivolta MN (2019) . Hearing Research. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Groot SC, Sliedregt K, Benthem PPG, Rivolta MN & Huisman MA (2019) . The Anatomical Record. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Stacey G, Andrews P, Asante C, Barbaric I, Barry J, Bisset L, Braybrook J, Buckle R, Chandra A, Coffey P , Crouch S et al (2018) . Regenerative Medicine, 13(8), 935-944. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Schomann T, Mezzanotte L, De Groot JCMJ, Rivolta MN, Hendriks SH, Frijns JHM & Huisman MA (2017) . PLoS ONE, 12(10). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Gho CG, Schomann T, de Groot SC, Frijns JHM, Rivolta MN, Neumann MHA & Huisman MA (2016) . Cytotechnology, 68(5), 1849-1858. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta M (2016) . The Journal of Laryngology & Otology, 130(S3), S137-S137. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta MN (2016) . Hearing, Balance and Communication, 13(4), 148-152. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Abbas L & Rivolta MN (2015) . Hearing Research, 325, 12-26. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta MN (2013) . Br Med Bull, 105, 69-84. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Boddy SL, Chen W, Romero-Guevara R, Kottam L, Bellantuono I & Rivolta MN (2012) . Regen Med, 7(6), 757-767. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Durán Alonso MB, Feijoo-Redondo A, Conde de Felipe M, Carnicero E, García AS, García-Sancho J, Rivolta MN, Giráldez F & Schimmang T (2012) . Regen Med, 7(6), 769-783. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Chen W, Jongkamonwiwat N, Abbas L, Eshtan SJ, Johnson SL, Kuhn S, Milo M, Thurlow JK, Andrews PW, Marcotti W , Moore HD et al (2012) . Nature, 490(7419), 278-282. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Huisman MA & Rivolta MN (2012) . Front Biosci (Schol Ed), 4, 121-132. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jongkamonwiwat N, Zine A & Rivolta MN (2010) . Curr Drug Targets, 11(7), 888-897. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta MN (2010) . Drug Discov Today, 15(7-8), 283-286. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Johnson SL, Franz C, Kuhn S, Furness DN, Rüttiger L, Münkner S, Rivolta MN, Seward EP, Herschman HR, Engel J , Knipper M et al (2010) . Nat Neurosci, 13(1), 45-52. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Chen W, Johnson SL, Marcotti W, Andrews PW, Moore HD & Rivolta MN (2009) . Stem Cells, 27(5), 1196-1204. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Chen W, Cacciabue-Rivolta DI, Moore HD & Rivolta MN (2007) . Hear Res, 233(1-2), 23-29. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Helyer R, Cacciabue-Rivolta D, Davies D, Rivolta MN, Kros CJ & Holley MC (2007) . Eur J Neurosci, 25(4), 957-973. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Nicholl AJ, Kneebone A, Davies D, Cacciabue-Rivolta DI, Rivolta MN, Coffey P & Holley MC (2005) . Eur J Neurosci, 22(2), 343-353. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Lawoko-Kerali G, Milo M, Davies D, Halsall A, Helyer R, Johnson CM, Rivolta MN, Tones MA & Holley MC (2004) . Dev Dyn, 231(4), 801-814. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Lawoko-Kerali G, Rivolta MN, Lawlor P, Cacciabue-Rivolta DI, Langton-Hewer C, van Doorninck JH & Holley MC (2004) . Mech Dev, 121(3), 287-299. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta MN & Holley MC (2002) . J Neurobiol, 53(2), 306-318. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hackett L, Davies D, Helyer R, Kennedy H, Kros C, Lawlor P, Rivolta MN & Holley M (2002) . Exp Cell Res, 278(1), 19-30. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta MN, Halsall A, Johnson CM, Tones MA & Holley MC (2002) . Genome Res, 12(7), 1091-1099. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta MN & Holley MC (2002) . Brain Res Dev Brain Res, 133(1), 49-56. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Lawoko-Kerali G, Rivolta MN & Holley M (2002) . J Comp Neurol, 442(4), 378-391. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Weir J, Rivolta MN & Holley MC (2000) . Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 126(10), 1244-1248. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jagger DJ, Griesinger CB, Rivolta MN, Holley MC & Ashmore JF (2000) Calcium signalling mediated by the 9 acetylcholine receptor in a cochlear cell line from the Immortomouse.. J Physiol, 527(Pt 1), 49-54. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jagger DJ, Griesinger CB, Rivolta MN, Holley MC & Ashmore JF (2000) Calcium signalling mediated by the 9 acetylcholine receptor in a cochlear cell line from the immortomouse.. J Physiol, 527 Pt 1, 49-54. RIS download Bibtex download
  • WEIR J, RIVOLTA M & HOLLEY M (2000) . American Journal of Otolaryngology, 21(1), 130-134. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta MN & Holiey MC (2000) Asymmetric segregation of m-numb may play a role in the generation of different cell types in the mammalian inner ear. EUR J NEUROSCI, 12, 492-492. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Helyer RJ, Lawoko G, Rivolta MN, Holley MC & Kros CJ (2000) Expression of membrane currents during conditional differentiation of cell lines from the mouse embryonic cochlea. EUR J NEUROSCI, 12, 493-493. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Lawoko GK, Rivolta MN & Holley MC (2000) GATA3 and Pax2 expression in the mammalian inner ear during early development.. EUR J NEUROSCI, 12, 132-132. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Lawlor P, Marcotti W, Rivolta MN, Kros CJ & Holley MC (1999) Differentiation of mammalian vestibular hair cells from conditionally immortal, postnatal supporting cells.. J Neurosci, 19(21), 9445-9458. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta MN, Grix N, Lawlor P, Ashmore JF, Jagger DJ & Holley MC (1998) . Proc Biol Sci, 265(1406), 1595-1603. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta MN & Holley MC (1998) . J Neurocytol, 27(9), 637-647. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jagger DJ, Rivolta MN, Holley MC & Ashmore JF (1998) Cholinergic and voltage-activated currents expressed in a cochlear cell line derived from the Immortomouse (TM). J PHYSIOL-LONDON, 509P, 189P-190P. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Nishida Y, Rivolta MN & Holley MC (1998) Timed markers for the differentiation of the cuticular plate and stereocilia in hair cells from the mouse inner ear.. J Comp Neurol, 395(1), 18-28. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta MN & Holley MC (1998) GATA3 is downregulated during hair cell differentiation in the mouse cochlea. Brain Cell Biology, 27(9), 637-647. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta MN & Holley MC (1998) GATA-3 is down regulated during hair cell differentiation in the mouse cochlea. British Journal of Audiology, 32(2), 74-75. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta MN, Grix N, Lawlor P & Holley MC (1997) Conditional expression of the alpha 9 acetylcholine receptor subunit in immortalized cell lines from the mouse cochlea.. J PHYSIOL-LONDON, 504P, P126-P126. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Lawlor P, Rivolta MN & Holley MC (1997) Conditional immortalization of supporting cells from mammalian vestibular sensory epithelia.. J PHYSIOL-LONDON, 504P, P128-P129. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Holley MC & Rivolta MN (1997) . Audiology and Neuro-Otology, 2(1-2), 1-2. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Holley MC & Rivolta MN (1997) . Audiol Neurootol, 2(1-2), 1-2. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta MN (1997) . Audiol Neurootol, 2(1-2), 36-49. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta MN, Negrini C & Wilcox ER (1996) . Biochim Biophys Acta, 1306(2-3), 127-132. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta MN, Urrutia R & Kachar B (1995) . Biochim Biophys Acta, 1232(1-2), 1-4. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta MN & Wilcox ER (1995) . Nucleic Acids Res, 23(13), 2565-2566. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Negrini C, Rivolta MN, Kalinec F & Kachar B (1995) . Biochim Biophys Acta, 1236(1), 207-211. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tachibana M, Asano T, Wilcox E, Yokotani N, Rivolta MN & Fex J (1994) . Brain Res Mol Brain Res, 21(3-4), 355-358. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kachar B, Urrutia R, Rivolta MN & McNiven MA (1993) . Methods Cell Biol, 39, 179-190. RIS download Bibtex download
  • URRUTIA R, RIVOLTA MN, NEGRINI C, MCNIVEN MA & KACHAR B (1992) GENERATION OF EXPRESSED SEQUENCE TAGS FOR MOUSE-LIVER GENES USING UNFRACTIONATED CDNA PRIMARY LIBRARIES CONSTRUCTED IN M13. HEPATOLOGY, 16(4), A189-A189. RIS download Bibtex download
  • RIVOLTA MN, FEX J, SLEPECKY N & WILCOX E (1992) A NOVEL ZINC FINGER ENCODING GENE IS EXPRESSED IN THE ORGAN OF CORTI. MOL BIOL CELL, 3, A202-A202. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wilcox ER, Rivolta MN, Ploplis B, Potterf SB & Fex J (1992) . Hum Mol Genet, 1(3), 215. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Mortis B, Valentich MA, Urrutia R & Rivolta M (1991) . International journal of pancreatology, 8(2). RIS download Bibtex download
  • RIVOLTA MN, URRUTIA R, SELLERS J & KACHAR B (1990) PRELIMINARY CHARACTERIZATION OF AN ACTIN BASED ORGANELLE TRANSLOCATOR FROM NITELLA. BIOPHYS J, 57(2), A535-A535. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Urrutia RA, Rivolta CM, Valentich MA & Monis B (1990) A Feulgen microspectrophotometric study of the DNA content of essential fatty acid-deficient rat pancreas treated with nitrosomethylurea.. Cell Mol Biol, 36(5), 547-555. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Milo M, Cacciabue-Rivolta D, Kneebone A, Van Doorninck H, Johnson C, Lawoko-Kerali G, Niranjan M, Rivolta M & Holley M () . PLoS ONE, 4(9), e7144-e7144. RIS download Bibtex download

Chapters

  • Jongkamonwiwat N, Abbas L, Barrott D, Boddy SL, Mallick AS & Rivolta MN (2016) , Regenerative Medicine - from Protocol to Patient (pp. 247-281). Springer International Publishing RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jongkamonwiwat N & Rivolta MN (2013) , Regenerative Medicine (pp. 793-821). Springer Netherlands RIS download Bibtex download
  • Abbas L & Rivolta MN (2012) , Progenitor and Stem Cell Technologies and Therapies (pp. 282-308). Elsevier RIS download Bibtex download
  • Atala A, Davis J, Ilic D, Stevenson D, Patel H, Braude P, Sidhu K, Hollands P, Kumar A, Verfaillie C , Hammersla AM et al (2012) , Progenitor and Stem Cell Technologies and Therapies (pp. xv-xix). Elsevier RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jongkamonwiwat N & Rivolta MN (2011) , Regenerative Medicine (pp. 647-673). Springer Netherlands RIS download Bibtex download
  • Trachoo O & Rivolta MN (2009) , Trends in Stem Cell Biology and Technology (pp. 261-282). RIS download Bibtex download
  • (2007) , Genes, Hearing, and Deafness (pp. 289-298). CRC Press RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta M (2007) , Genes, Hearing, and Deafness (pp. 279-287). CRC Press RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta MN (2007) Stem cells in the inner ear: Advancing towards a new therapy for hearing impairment, Genes, Hearing, and Deafness: From Molecular Biology to Clinical Practice (pp. 279-287). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta MN, Li H & Heller S (2006) (pp. 71-92). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Rivolta MN & Holley MC () , Hair Cell Regeneration, Repair, and Protection (pp. 257-307). Springer New York RIS download Bibtex download

Conference proceedings papers

  • Farr MRB, Abbas L, Ray J & Rivolta MN (2019) Modelling vestibular hypofunction for the assessment of cell based therapies. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 30(8) (pp A23-A23) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ji A & Rivolta MN (2019) Inner ear hair cell differentiation of hESC-derived otic epithelial progenitor cells in 3D and 2D cultures. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 30(8) (pp A24-A24) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Abbas L, Wu W, Mallick AS & Rivolta MN (2019) Defining the immunological properties of hESC-derived otic neural progenitors in the context of the gerbil auditory neuropathy model. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 30(8) (pp A13-A13) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Abbas L, Rivolta DIC, Smyth D & Rivolta MN (2017) Combining stem cells and cochlear electrode arrays: towards a true 'bionic' ear. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 28(8) (pp A17-A17) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Shaw AC, Farr MRB & Rivolta MN (2017) Advances in the generation of GMP-compliant protocols for the differentiation of otic progenitors from clinical-grade human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC). HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 28(8) (pp A27-A27) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Boddy SL, Gokhale PJ, Barrott DM & Rivolta MN (2017) Purification of hESC-derived otic progenitors from heterogeneous cell populations. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 28(8) (pp A27-A27) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Barrott D & Rivolta M (2017) Manipulating Wnt signalling to improve the generation of otic progenitors from human pluripotent stem cells. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 28(8) (pp A27-A27) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Castro OOS, Boissonade F & Rivolta M (2017) Identification and characterisation of a neural crest-related stem cell (NCSC) population from DPCs for auditory and peripheral nerve regeneration. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 28(8) (pp A26-A26) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Romero-Guevara R & Rivolta MN (2013) The role of FGF signalling during otic differentiation in human embryonic stem cells. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 24(5) (pp A22-A23) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Boddy S, Romero-Guevara R, Unger C, Andrews P & Rivolta M (2013) Generation of otic lineages from human induced pluripotent stem cells. HUMAN GENE THERAPY, Vol. 24(5) (pp A26-A27) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jongkamonwiwat N, Chen W & Rivolta MN (2010) TRANSPLANTATION OF HUMAN ESCS-DERIVED OTIC NEUROPROGENITOR CELLS (ONPS) INTO THE DEAFENED GERBIL COCHLEA: SURVIVAL, DIFFERENTIATION AND FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY. J NEUROCHEM, Vol. 115 (pp 35-35) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Lawoko G, Petrich-Marquesini LG, Cacciabue-Rivolta D, Rivolta MN & Holley MC (2000) GATA3 is expressed in progenitors of supporting cells, hair cells and spiral ganglion cells during cochlear development in the mouse. BRITISH JOURNAL OF AUDIOLOGY, Vol. 34(2) (pp 78-79) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Holley MC, Lawlor P, Lawoko G & Rivolta MN (2000) An ear in a test tube. BRITISH JOURNAL OF AUDIOLOGY, Vol. 34(2) (pp 77-77) RIS download Bibtex download

Preprints

  • Ngamkham K, Rivolta MN & Battaglia G () , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. RIS download Bibtex download
Research group

Postgraduate PhD opportunities

We advertise PhD opportunities (Funded or Self-Funded) on FindAPhD.com

Grants
  • Medical Research Council
  • European Union
Teaching activities

Undergraduate:

  • BMS382 Stem Cell Biology  (Co-ordinator)
  • Level 3 Practical and Dissertation Modules

Masters (Msc):

  • BMS6051 - Retrieval and Evaluation of Research Information  (Co-ordinator)
  • BMS6056 Stem Cell Biology  (Co-ordinator)
Professional activities and memberships
  • Reviewer for leading scientific journals.
  • Reviewer for research proposals submitted to Action on Hearing Loss, Deafness Research UK, The Wellcome Trust, MRC, BBSRC and other funding bodies.
  • Invited speaker at several national and international meetings.
  • Trustee of the charity ‘The Ear Foundation’

Invited to give numerous seminars, opening and plenary lectures.

In the media