Georg F. Weber
Encyclopedia
Georg Franz Weber is a cancer researcher, who has made substantial contributions to the exploration of metastasis
by defining the physiologic role of metastasis genes as stress response genes and by discovering the interaction between the molecules osteopontin
and CD44
. While he continues to address fundamental questions, he is researching new venues of diagnosis and therapy of cancer dissemination.
, Harvard Medical School from 1990 through 1999. After a stint at Tufts University, 2000-2003, Georg F. Weber moved to the University of Cincinnati
, where he is currently on the faculty at the College of Pharmacy and the Cancer Center.
Early in his intellectual life (1981-1991), Georg F. Weber wrote publications on chess and biomechanics. His medical career was initially focused on immunology, in particular on the regulation of host defenses through redox mechanisms. Among various phenomena, he identified signal transduction pathways inside T-lymphocytes that determine cell proliferation, programmed cell death
, or immunosenescence
.
Georg F. Weber has defined the genetic basis of metastasis formation as aberrant expression or splicing of a unique set of developmentally non-essential genes (stress response genes) that physiologically mediate the homing of immune system cells.
Specifically, his laboratory has studied the cytokine osteopontin, which acts as a metastasis gene in multiple malignancies, including breast cancer. Based on the molecular mechanisms of osteopontin induction and function in cancer metastasis, he has established the following paradigms:
1. Osteopontin and variant CD44 interact, and this is essential for metastasis by several types of cancer.
2. Multiple osteopontin splice variants are present in malignant, but not in benign human breast tumor cells.
3. Metastasis genes support anchorage-independence in an autocrine fashion.
4. In cancer cells, distinct signal transduction pathways to growth and invasiveness are activated by oncogenes.
5. The expression (activation) of metastasis genes is triggered by cellular stress response programs and is regulated by multi-subunit transcription factor complexes.
Georg F. Weber is the author of multiple monographs, most recently a textbook on molecular oncology.
Metastasis
Metastasis, or metastatic disease , is the spread of a disease from one organ or part to another non-adjacent organ or part. It was previously thought that only malignant tumor cells and infections have the capacity to metastasize; however, this is being reconsidered due to new research...
by defining the physiologic role of metastasis genes as stress response genes and by discovering the interaction between the molecules osteopontin
Osteopontin
Osteopontin , also known as bone sialoprotein I , early T-lymphocyte activation , secreted phosphoprotein 1 , 2ar and Rickettsia resistance , is a human gene product, which is also conserved in other species...
and CD44
CD44
The CD44 antigen is a cell-surface glycoprotein involved in cell–cell interactions, cell adhesion and migration. In humans, the CD44 antigen is encoded by the CD44 gene.- Tissue distribution and isoforms :...
. While he continues to address fundamental questions, he is researching new venues of diagnosis and therapy of cancer dissemination.
Life
Georg F. Weber went to primary and secondary school in Erlangen, Germany. He then attended medical school at the Julius-Maximilians Universitaet Wuerzburg, Germany. In 1988, he graduated and also completed his doctoral thesis. Georg F. Weber came to the U.S. at the turn of the year 1988/1989. He worked at the Dana-Farber Cancer InstituteDana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dana–Farber Cancer Institute is part of a Comprehensive Cancer Center designated by the National Cancer Institute. It is a major affiliate of Harvard Medical School and is located in the Longwood Medical Area in Boston, Massachusetts.-Overview:...
, Harvard Medical School from 1990 through 1999. After a stint at Tufts University, 2000-2003, Georg F. Weber moved to the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
, where he is currently on the faculty at the College of Pharmacy and the Cancer Center.
Early in his intellectual life (1981-1991), Georg F. Weber wrote publications on chess and biomechanics. His medical career was initially focused on immunology, in particular on the regulation of host defenses through redox mechanisms. Among various phenomena, he identified signal transduction pathways inside T-lymphocytes that determine cell proliferation, programmed cell death
Programmed cell death
Programmed cell-death is death of a cell in any form, mediated by an intracellular program. PCD is carried out in a regulated process which generally confers advantage during an organism's life-cycle...
, or immunosenescence
Immunosenescence
Immunosenescence refers to the gradual deterioration of the immune system brought on by natural age advancement. It involves both the host’s capacity to respond to infections and the development of long-term immune memory, especially by vaccination...
.
Georg F. Weber has defined the genetic basis of metastasis formation as aberrant expression or splicing of a unique set of developmentally non-essential genes (stress response genes) that physiologically mediate the homing of immune system cells.
Specifically, his laboratory has studied the cytokine osteopontin, which acts as a metastasis gene in multiple malignancies, including breast cancer. Based on the molecular mechanisms of osteopontin induction and function in cancer metastasis, he has established the following paradigms:
1. Osteopontin and variant CD44 interact, and this is essential for metastasis by several types of cancer.
2. Multiple osteopontin splice variants are present in malignant, but not in benign human breast tumor cells.
3. Metastasis genes support anchorage-independence in an autocrine fashion.
4. In cancer cells, distinct signal transduction pathways to growth and invasiveness are activated by oncogenes.
5. The expression (activation) of metastasis genes is triggered by cellular stress response programs and is regulated by multi-subunit transcription factor complexes.
Georg F. Weber is the author of multiple monographs, most recently a textbook on molecular oncology.