Todd Mowery, PhD

Todd Mowery, PhD, is an assistant professor at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He has provided the following statement about his lab:

"In the Mowery Lab, we use what are known as adeno-associated viruses to target different cell types in the peripheral and central nervous system. This allows us to deliver various proteins and enzymes to these cells.  This targeted protein expression can deliver novel receptor complexes (e.g., DREADDs, CHR2) or selected proteins and enzymes that are missing or produced in low quantities.

Protein expression can also be bolstered to "harden" the auditory system against environmental factors such as noise-induced trauma or as a treatment following noise exposure. I, along with my collaborators, am employing the use of AAV techniques to explore viral-based gene therapies for the treatment and prevention of hearing loss and hearing-related disorders. We hope that the development of this technology will someday lead to the widespread treatment and eventually the eradication of the myriad of auditory disorders that affect so many people throughout the world."