A large scale hearing loss screen reveals an extensive unexplored genetic landscape for auditory dysfunction

The developmental and physiological complexity of the auditory system is likely reflected in the underlying set of genes involved in auditory function. In humans, over 150 non-syndromic loci have been identified, and there are more than 400 human genetic syndromes with a hearing loss component. Over 100 non-syndromic hearing loss genes have been identified in mouse and human, but we remain ignorant of the full extent of the genetic landscape involved in auditory dysfunction. As part of the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium, we undertook a hearing loss screen in a cohort of 3006 mouse knockout strains. In total, we identify 67 candidate hearing loss genes. We detect known hearing loss genes, but the vast majority, 52, of the candidate genes were novel. Our analysis reveals a large and unexplored genetic landscape involved with auditory function

The LHCb Silicon Tracker

Wide pitch silicon micro-strip detectors will be used in both the LHCb Inner Tracker and the Trigger Tracker. In total an area of 12 m$^2$ will covered with silicon using ladders of up to 33 cm in length. The design of both detectors and corresponding test beam results are presented

The LHCb Silicon Tracker

LHCb is one of the experiments for the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, dedicated to B-physics and CP-violation measurements. To fully exploit the physics potential, a good tracking performance with high effciency in a high particle density environment close to the beam pipe is required. Silicon strip detectors with large readout pitch and long strips will be used for the LHCb Silicon Tracker. The design and test beam results are presented here

The LHCb Silicon Tracker

LHCb is one of the experiments for the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, dedicated to B-physics and CP-violation measurements. To fully exploit the physics potential, a good tracking performance with high effciency in a high particle density environment close to the beam pipe is required. Silicon strip detectors with large readout pitch and long strips will be used for the LHCb Inner Tracker after the magnet and the Trigger Tracker station in front of the magnet. The design of the Silicon Tracker in LHCb and corresponding test beam results are presented here

Production of the LHCb Silicon Tracker Readout Electronics

We give an overview on the status of production of the LHCb Silicon Tracker Electronics. Lessons learned together with industry in the preseries production of the Silicon Tracker Digitizer Boards were integrated into the design to optimize the production and assembly yield for the main batch of 700 Digitizer Boards. A report on the preseries readout module performance and on the testing procedures for the full production lot is given. In addition, a final proton irradiation test of a complete readout system has been performed, of which results will be presented