This strongly suggests that cellular pathways activated
by ototoxin exposure are conserved between hair cells of the zebrafish lateral line and
mammalian inner ear. Unlike mammals, hair cells in zebrafish regenerate following insult
[23, 24], offering an additional potential therapeutic dimension to hair cell biology – the
potential to reverse hearing loss by studying a system with innate regenerative ability. In this
mini-review, we focus on chemical screening using the lateral line of larval zebrafish as a
model for mechanosensory hair cell loss, protection, and regeneration. We specifically
address these compounds as they pertain to basic research, drug discovery, and repurposing
of existing drugs, as well as target identification.