George Beck, PhD

Biography

George Richard Beck Jr., PhD, is an associate professor in the Division of Endocrinology of the Department of Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Beck is a member of the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program at Winship Cancer Institute. He joined Emory in 2005.

Education

After earning his PhD from Temple University in Philadelphia, Dr. Beck completed his postdoctoral training at Temple in the laboratory of Dr. Elizabeth Moran, focusing on cell growth and differentiation. He was then selected to be an NCI Scholar (CA84573) at the National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Laboratory of Cancer Prevention in Frederick, MD. 

Titles & Roles

• Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology

  Emory University School of Medicine

Research

Dr. Beck's research interests include:

The effects of Thiazolidinediones on Marrow Stem Cells and Bone Quality in Diabetic Subjects: Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are commonly prescribed oral agents for the treatment of diabetes. They act as agonists for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-?) which regulates the transcription of several genes, encoding proteins that modulate glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as genes that promote differentiation of adipocytes. Recent studies have reported an association between TZD treatment and an increased risk of fractures in patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. The underlying mechanisms for this association are not known. Dr. Beck, in collaboration with Drs. Guillermo Umpierrez and Natasha Khazai (Emory and Grady Hospital), is currently investigating the mechanism(s) by which TZDs alter bone quality in diabetic subjects with a focus on the effect of TZDs on osteoblasts, adipocytes and osteoclasts.

Inorganic phosphate regulated proliferation, transformation and tumorigenesis: Over the past decade, Dr. Beck and his collaborators have studied the mechanisms by which elevated inorganic phosphate regulates both mineralization by osteoblasts and enhanced proliferation associated with a number of cancer models. Recent studies have extended these cell culture studies to begin to define the potential risk of increased dietary phosphate consumption on cancer risks in mouse models. Currently, the research is focused on elucidating how changes in serum phosphate regulate a number of disease states including cancer and osteoporosis and planned studies include incorporating cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Although it is becoming increasingly apparent that diet can have profound effects on functional genomics, to date the molecular and cellular responses to changes in serum Pi levels have only begun to be investigated.

Biological Actions and Cellular Targeting of Nanoparticles for Medical Applications: The unique combination of semi-structured extracellular matrix, biomechanical properties, and active remodeling makes bone a unique tissue particularly suited for targeting by nanoparticles. Dr. Beck and colleagues, Dr. Neale Weitzmann (Emory) and Dr. Jin-Kyu Lee at Seoul National University in Korea, are investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which specific silica–based nanoparticles regulate bone cell metabolism including the identification of specific intracellular mechanisms by which the particles influence cell behavior. One particular novel nanoparticle formulation possesses a potent stimulatory effect on the formation of osteoblasts, the cells responsible for bone formation, and concomitant inhibitory effect on the formation of osteoclasts, the cells responsible for bone breakdown (resorption). This nanoparticle therefore, may have the potential to be developed into a powerful dual anticatabolic and proanabolic agent for the treatment of numerous osteoporotic diseases.

Grants