Geoffrey Bartholomeusz's Biography

Geoffrey Bartholomeusz, Assistant Professor, MD Anderson Cancer Center

My research interests are focused in utilizing high throughput RNAi screens to identify novel targets for furthering our understanding on cancer initiation and progression as well as improving therapies to treat this disease. The primary in-vitro models used in our studies are 3D multicellular tumor spheroid (MCTS) models. These models, unlike 2D monolayer cell cultures,demonstrate properties that overlap those of tumors. The cellular organization within 3D multicellular tumor spheroidsemulates the heterogeneity of solid tumors with necrosis and radiation-resistant hypoxic regions. Using these 3D MCTS models and high throughput siRNA screens we have identified targets that alter spheroid architecture. Therapies developed against these targets have the potential to be successful anticancer agents as we have shown that silencing these protein products by RNAi alters spheroid architecture, reduces spheroid hypoxia and sensitizes these spheroidsto radiation.Another area of my research is a collaborative study whereby my group is developing a methodology to propagate tumors in the laboratory from biopsy tissue obtained from patients with metastatic colon cancer. Our preliminary studies are promising and our eventual goal is to use this tissue for drug screening with the intention of personalizing our therapy for each of the patients.