The mechanoelectrical transduction complex (METC) enables vertebrate inner ear hair cells to convert mechanical stimuli into electrical signals, a process central to hearing and balance. Nematocytes, the specialized stinging cells in Cnidarians, share structural and functional similarities with vertebrate mechanosensory hair cells. The low abundance of MET channels, difficulties in targeting and assembling METC subunits, and the specialized structure of hair cells make it challenging to validate function in heterologous systems that lack hair bundles. This has historically hindered the mechanistic studies of MET in vertebrates. As an alternative, I propose to investigate the METC in the nematocytes of Aurelia aurita, a Cnidarian species whose experimental robustness presents distinct advantages. This study will take a multifaceted approach to investigate the function of the METC in nematocytes, beginning with a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis to profile METC gene expression by single-cell RNA seq. I will pioneer in vitro fertilization techniques in Aurelia to open avenues for genetic manipulation, enabling deeper insights into gene function. Additionally, I aim to characterize MET by examining FM1-43 entry under mechanical stimulation, complemented by live-cell Ca2+ imaging. This project aims to establish Aurelia as a model to enhance our understanding of Cnidarian MET, with potential implications for developing treatments for auditory and balance disorders in humans.