Thomas Bozza Molecular genetics and physiology of olfaction

Research Interests

My laboratory studies mammalian gene regulation and sensory coding using the mouse olfactory system as a model. We are currently pursuing two broad lines of research.

Mechanisms of monoallelic gene expression: Most genes are expressed from both maternal and paternal alleles. Expression from a single allele, so called monoallelic expression, is observed in genes that impart cell-type identity, and contributes to normal developmental processes and variation in disease pathology. Odorant receptors exhibit an intriguing form of random monoallelic expression. Each sensory neuron in the mouse nasal cavity expresses only one allele of one receptor gene (from over 2,000 possible alleles). We are investigating the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that are responsible for this selective gene choice in vivo using transgenics, gene targeting, CRISPR/Cas9-based genome manipulation, and gene expression analysis.

Molecular basis for innate and learned olfactory behaviors: Many mammals exhibit robust olfactory-driven behaviors, including predator avoidance, prey tracking, aggression, and mating. Moreover, the ability of animals to detect chemicals under variable conditions far exceeds that of artificial devices. We are interested in the biological underpinnings of olfactory abilities and the genes and neural circuits that underlie innate olfactory behaviors. We have identified olfactory receptors and associated sensory neurons that drive odor-guided behaviors in mice and are examining how specific receptor genes and associated neural circuits impact olfactory function.

Selected Publications

Olfactory expression of trace amine-associated receptors requires cooperative cis-acting enhancers. Shah A, Ratkowski M, Rosa A, Feinstein P, and Bozza T. Nature Communications. 2021 June 18;12:3797.

Genetic Depletion of Class I Odorant Receptors Impacts Perception of Carboxylic Acids. Cichy A, Shah A, Dewan A, Kaye S, and Bozza T. Current Biology. 2019 August 19;29(16):2687-2697.E4.

Single olfactory receptors set odor detection thresholds. Dewan A, Cichy A, Zhang J, Miguel K, Feinstein P, Rinberg D, and Bozza T. Nature Communications. 2018 July 23;9:2887.

Non-redundant coding of aversive odours in the main olfactory pathway. Dewan A, Pacifico R, Zhan R, Rinberg D, and Bozza T. Nature. 2013 May 23;497(7450):486-489.

An Olfactory Subsystem that Mediates High-Sensitivity Detection of Volatile Amines. Pacifico R, Dewan A, Cawley D, Guo C, and Bozza T. Cell Reports. 2012 July 26;2(1):76-88.

View all publications by Thomas Bozza listed in the National Library of Medicine (PubMed).