<p>In the past, the department dedicated a lot to the studies of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), laryngotracheal reconstruction, auditory physiology and vestibular function assessment. Recently, we also have great accomplishments in genetic hearing impairment, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, tissue engineering of human salivary glands, biomaterials and nano-technology in the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancers.</p><ol><li><p>We have cooperated with our colleagues to apply pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to deliver wild type newborn with normal hearing in genetic hearing impairment family. We have developed SNaPshot multiplex assay for first-pass screening of deafness associated mutations. We are applying this diagnostic technique, combined with hearing screening, to early diagnosis of potential hearing impairment in newborn.</p></li><li><p>We have developed various types of vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) in both humans and guinea pigs, and recorded on cervical muscles (so called cervical VEMP) and extraocular muscles (so called ocular VEMP), which set the stage to evaluate the pathophysiology of saccular and utricular disorders, respectively. Thus, the inner ear monitoring system including auditory brainstem response, caloric, ocular VEMP and cervical VEMP tests may help to evaluate toxicity information of the topical eardrops or agents on the inner ear endorgans including cochlea, semicircular canals, utricle and saccule.</p></li><li><p>We have developed “endoscopic KTP laser nasopharyngectomy” which is a simple, safe and successful procedure for treating rT1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We also have conducted photodynamic therapy and molecular targeted therapy for head and neck cancers. We are conducting several international collaborative studies on the molecular epidemiology of NPC and oral cancer.</p></li></ol>