Todd D. Giorgio, Ph.D.

Professor

todd.d.giorgio@vanderbilt.edu
Faculty Appointments
Professor of Biomedical Engineering Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Education
Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TexasB.S., Chemical Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Office Address
5921 Stevenson Center
Nashville, TN 37235-1620
Research Description
The characterization of many interesting and important problems in biology and medicine demands rapid, perhaps continuous, measurements conducted on single cells. Our research team seeks to develop quantitative analytical and calculational tools used to understand fundamental cellular behavior. The application of these tools, which are primarily optical techniques, to the solution of significant problems in mammalian systems is our overall aim. The practical application of human gene therapy delivered by cationic liposome vehicles has been limited by insufficient transgene synthesis. Our group is working toward identification of the key regulatory events in intracellular plasmid delivery and processing. We use our results to design and test specific, directed modifications of the gene delivery process for optimization of transgene synthesis. Understanding the cellular roles in vascular disease and post-angioplasty restenosis is critical to the development of successful clinical interventions. The relatively uncontrolled conditions of most in vivo studies, however, often leads to difficult interpretation of the measurements obtained by these techniques. Our team seeks to characterize platelet-leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in an in vitro model of vascular damage which includes controlled fluid shear forces to test and develop antithrombotic strategies.

Current Projects Include: 1. In a single cell, how is intracellular plasmid copy number related to transgene expression? 2. What mechanisms are responsible for cellular binding and incorporation of cationic liposome/plasmid complexes? 3. How does intracellular processing of delivered plasmid modulate transgene expression? 4. What is the significance of platelet activation in the fluid suspension in modulating platelet and leukocyte adhesion to vascular damage? 5. Which lymphocytes form platelet conjugates and adhere to vascular damage during exposure to fluid shear stress? 6. What is the role of lymphocyte-platelet conjugates in the cellular response to vascular damage?
Research Keywords
The application of quantitative analytical and calculational tools, which are primarily optical techniques, to solve significant problems in mammalian systems.
Publications
Kuhn SJ, Finch SK, Hallahan DE, Giorgio TD. Proteolytic surface functionalization enhances in vitro magnetic nanoparticle mobility through extracellular matrix. Nano Lett. 2006 Feb; 6(2): 306-12. PMID: 16464055, DOI: 10.1021/nl052241g, ISSN: 1530-6984.

Kuhn SJ, Hallahan DE, Giorgio TD. Characterization of superparamagnetic nanoparticle interactions with extracellular matrix in an in vitro system. Ann Biomed Eng [print-electronic]. 2006 Jan; 34(1): 51-8. PMID: 16477503, DOI: 10.1007/s10439-005-9004-5, ISSN: 0090-6964.

Harris SS, Giorgio TD. Convective flow increases lipoplex delivery rate to in vitro cellular monolayers. Gene Ther. 2005 Mar; 12(6): 512-20. PMID: 15690063, PII: 3302397, DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302397, ISSN: 0969-7128.

Smith RA, Giorgio TD. Quantitation and kinetics of CD51 surface receptor expression: implications for targeted delivery. Ann Biomed Eng. 2004 May; 32(5): 635-44. PMID: 15171619, ISSN: 0090-6964.

Smith RA, Giorgio TD. Cell-based screening: a high throughput flow cytometry platform for identification of cell-specific targeting molecules. Comb. Chem. High Throughput Screen. 2004 Mar; 7(2): 141-51. PMID: 15032661, ISSN: 1386-2073.

Wyatt SK, Giorgio TD. DNA delivery to cells in culture using cationic liposomes. Methods Mol. Biol. 2004; 245: 83-94. PMID: 14707371, PII: 1-59259-649-5-83, ISSN: 1064-3745.

Giorgio TD, Wyatt SK. DNA delivery to cells in culture using PNA clamps. Methods Mol. Biol. 2004; 245: 53-66. PMID: 14707369, PII: 1-59259-649-5-53, ISSN: 1064-3745.

Banks GA, Roselli RJ, Chen R, Giorgio TD. A model for the analysis of nonviral gene therapy. Gene Ther. 2003 Sep; 10(20): 1766-75. PMID: 12939643, PII: 3302076, DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302076, ISSN: 0969-7128.

Hallahan DE, Geng L, Qu C, Scarfone S, Giorgio TD, Donnelly E, Gao X, Clanton J. Integrin-mediated targeting of drug delivery to irradiated tumor blood vessels. Cancer Cell. 2003; 3: 63-74.

Pfeiffer S, Zorn GL, Zhang JP, Farley SM, Giorgio TD, Robson SC, Azimzadeh AM and Pierson RN. Hyperacute lung rejection in the pig-to-human model: platelet receptor inhibitors synergistically modulate complement activation and lung injury. Transplantation. 2003; 75: 953-9.

Hallahan DE, Qu S, Geng L, Cmelak A, Chakravarthy A, Martin W, Scarfone C, Giorgio TD. Radiation-mediated control of drug delivery. American Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2001; 24: 473-80.

James MB, Giorgio TD. Nuclear-associated plasmid, but not cell-associated plasmid, is correlated with transgene expression in cultured mammalian cells. Mol. Ther. 2000 Apr; 1(4): 339-46. PMID: 10933952, PII: S1525-0016(00)90054-6, DOI: 10.1006/mthe.2000.0054, ISSN: 1525-0016.

James M and Giorgio TD. Nuclear-associated plasmid, but not cell-associated plasmid, is correlated with transgene expression in cultured mammalian cells. Molecular Therapy. 2000; 1: 339-46.

Tseng WC, Haselton FR, Giorgio TD. Mitosis enhances transgene expression of plasmid delivered by cationic liposomes. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1999 Apr 4/14/1999; 1445(1): 53-64. PMID: 10209258, PII: S0167-4781(99)00039-1, ISSN: 0006-3002.

Tseng W, Haselton, FR and Giorgio TD. Mitosis activates transgene expression of plasmid delivered by cationic liposomes. Biochimica Biophysica Acta. 1999; 1445: 53-64.

Tseng WC, Haselton FR, Giorgio TD. Transfection by cationic liposomes using simultaneous single cell measurements of plasmid delivery and transgene expression. J. Biol. Chem. 1997 Oct 10/10/1997; 272(41): 25641-7. PMID: 9325286, ISSN: 0021-9258.

Tseng W, Haselton, FR and Giorgio TD. Transfection by cationic liposomes using simultaneous single cell measurements of plasmid delivery and transgene expression. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 1997; 25641-7.

Montero GA, Giorgio TD and Schnelle KB. Supercritical fluid extraction of contaminated soil. The Journal of Environmental Science and Health. 1997; A32: 481-95.

Montero GA, Giorgio TD and Schnelle KB. Scale-up and economic analysis for the design of supercritical fluid extraction : equipment for remediation of soi. 1996.

Tseng W, Purvis NB, Haselton FR and Giorgio TD. Cationic liposomal delivery of plasmid to endothelial cells measured by quantitative flow cytometry. Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 1996; 50: 548-54.

Giorgio TD, Yek SH. The effect of bilayer composition on calcium ion transport facilitated by fluid shear stress. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1995 Oct 10/4/1995; 1239(1): 39-44. PMID: 7548142, ISSN: 0006-3002.

Giorgio TD and Yek SH. The effect of bilayer composition on calcium ion transport facilitated by fluid shear stress. 1995.

Montero GA, Giorgio TD and Schnelle KB. Removal of hazardous contaminants from soils by supercritical fluid extraction. ACS Symposium Series. 1995; 608: 281-97.

Purvis NB, Giorgio TD, Stelzer GT, Shults KE. Shear-induced platelet activation measured by flow cytometry. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 1994 Apr 4/18/1994; 714: 309-11. PMID: 8017786, ISSN: 0077-8923.

Purvis NB, Giorgio TD. Cell size and surface area determined by flow cytometry. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 1994 Apr 4/18/1994; 714: 306-8. PMID: 7517116, ISSN: 0077-8923.

Purvis NB, Giorgio TD, Stelzer, GT and Shults, KE. Shear- induced platelet activation measured by flow cytometry. 1994.

Purvis NB and Giorgio TD. Cell size and surface area determined by flow cytometry. 1994.

Nicholson NS, Panzer-Knodle SG, King LW, Taite BB, Keller BT, Tjoeng FS, Engleman VW, Giorgio TD and Feigen LP. SC-49992 - a potent and specific inhibitor of platelet aggregation. 1994.

Rozga J, Morsiani E, LePage E, Moscioni AD, Giorgio T and Demetriou AA. Isolated hepatocytes in a bioartificial liver: a single group view and experience. Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 1994; 43: 645-53.

Giorgio TD, Moscioni AD, Rozga J, Demetriou AA. Mass transfer in a hollow fiber device used as a bioartificial liver. ASAIO J. 1993 Oct; 39(4): 886-92. PMID: 8123922, ISSN: 1058-2916.

Rozga J, Williams F, Ro MS, Neuzil DF, Giorgio TD, Backfisch G, Moscioni AD, Hakim R, Demetriou AA. Development of a bioartificial liver: properties and function of a hollow-fiber module inoculated with liver cells. Hepatology. 1993 Feb; 17(2): 258-65. PMID: 8428723, PII: S0270913993000382, ISSN: 0270-9139.

Giorgio TD, Moscioni AD, Rozga J and Demetriou AA. Transfer in a hollow fiber device used as a bioartificial liver. ASAIO Journal. 1993; 39: 886-92.

Rozga J, Williams F, Ro MS, Neuzil DF, Giorgio TD, Backfisch G, Moscioni AD, Hakim R and Demetriou AA. Development of a bioartificial liver: properties and function of a hollow-fiber module inoculated with liver cells. Hepatology. 1993; 17: 258-65.

Rozga J, Holzman MD, Ro MS, Griffin DW, Neuzil DF, Giorgio T, Moscioni AD and Demetriou AA. Development of a bioartificial liver. Annals of Surgery. 1993; 217: 502-9.

Chakravarthy SR, Giorgio TD. Shear stress-facilitated calcium ion transport across lipid bilayers. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1992 Dec 12/9/1992; 1112(2): 197-204. PMID: 1457452, ISSN: 0006-3002.

Chakravarthy SR and Giorgio TD. Shear stress facilitated calcium ion transport across lipid bilayers. 1992.

Sharp J and Giorgio T. Combined Instruction: chemical engineering and technical communication - eleven years later. ASEE Annual Proceedings. 1992; 2: 1273-6.

Purvis NB, Giorgio TD. The effects of elongational stress exposure on the activation and aggregation of blood platelets. Biorheology. 1991; 28(5): 355-67. PMID: 1782391, ISSN: 0006-355X.

Dowd CJ, Tanner RD, Giorgio TD and Stirm SC. Light Mediated Yeast Cell Growth and Metabolism. Korean Journal of Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 1991; 6: 299-307.

Purvis NB and Giorgio TD. The effects of elongational stress exposure on the activation and aggregation of blood platelets. Biorheology. 1991; 28: 355-67.

Giorgio TD and Hellums JD. A cone and plate viscometer for the continuous measurement of blood platelet activation. Biorheology. 1988; 25: 605-24.

Giorgio TD and Hellums JD. Inhibition of shear stress-induced platelet activation by commercial luminescence reagents. Thrombosis Research. 1988; 49: 643-7.

Giorgio TD and Hellums JD. A note on the use of indo-1 in studying shear-induced platelet aggregation. Thrombosis Research. 1987; 50: 351-6.

Hellums JD, Peterson DM, Stathopoulos NA, Moake JL, and Giorgio TD. Studies on the Mechanisms of Shear-Induced Platelet Activation. Cerebral Ischemia and Hemorheology. 1987; 80-9.

Peterson DM, Stathopoulos N, Giorgio TD, Hellums JD, and Moake JL. Shear induced platelet aggregation requires von Willebrand factor and platelet membrane glycoproteins. Blood. 1987; 69: 625-8.

Giorgio TD and Hellums JD. Continuous monitoring of platelet activation reactions in a controlled shear field. Microcirculation. 1987; 1: 621-2.

Giorgio TD and Hellums JD. A note on the use of quin2 in studying shear-induced platelet aggregation. Thrombosis Research. 1986; 37: 353-9.

Available Postdoctoral Position Details
Posted: 2/1/2008
Postdoctoral research associate. NIH-funded research position is available in the Biomedical Engineering Department at Vanderbilt University. Tasks include fundamental and applied work toward product development. This position offers significant opportunity for interaction in a multidisciplinary environment including biomedical engineering, medicine and basic sciences. Our research team includes four Ph.D. candidates, a comprehensive research laboratory with state-of-the-art tools for gene expression analysis and technician support. Expertise required in some of the following: peptide/peptidomimetic library screening, mammalian cell culture, flow cytometry, micro/nano particles, fluorescence, tumor biology/tumor models. A Ph.D. in a relevant field is required. Location is Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.

Contact Professor Todd Giorgio at 1-615-322-3756 or postdoc.for.giorgio@vanderbilt.edu for more information.