Lawrence Sowers, Ph.D.
Dr. Sowers work has involved the chemistry and biology of DNA damage resulting from both carcinogens and cancer chemotherapy agents. More recently, he has focused upon DNA damage generated by activated inflammatory cells, including eosinophils and neutrophils.
His lab previously demonstrated how certain inflammation-mediated DNA damage products could fraudulently mimic epigenetic signals, perhaps explaining how inflammation could result in heritable changes in gene expression. This is important for the silencing of tumor suppressor genes in the development of cancer. It may explain how early exposure to agents that trigger inflammation could influence disease susceptibility later in life.
His laboratory has trained numerous Ph.D., M.D. and M.D./Ph.D. students over the years and he looks forward to training further students within the context of this translational and interdisciplinary program in Galveston.
Education
1978 A.B., Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana
1983 Ph.D., Duke University, Durham, North Carolina Physical Biochemistry
1984 Postdoctoral fellow, Harvard University, Department of Medicine
Dana Farber Cancer Institute
1988 Postdoctoral fellow, University of Southern California
Chair, Department Pharmacology and Toxicology
Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine
Fellow, John Sealy Distinguished Chair in Cancer Biology
Director, Cancer Center Research Programs
