Roman A. Eliseev, M.D., Ph.D.

The main goal of our research efforts is to understand how cell metabolism determines cell fate and how it can be manipulated for the purposes of prevention and therapies. Mitochondria are "powerhouses" of the cell and also important components of cell signaling. In undifferentiated stem cells mitochondria are inactive but become activated during the process of differentiation. We focus on the mechanism of this metabolic switch in mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), common precursors of osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes, and how this mechanism is disrupted in aging and in various diseases.

Similarly to undifferentiated stem cells, many cancer cells show preference for glycolytic over mitochondrial metabolism even in the presence of adequate oxygen, a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect. We study how cell metabolism regulates sensitivity of osteosarcoma to treatments. Our data indicate that the Warburg effect is especially pronounced in osteosarcoma cancer stem cells (CSC), and reversal of this effect makes CSCs less viable and more sensitive to radiation.