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Geoff Holm

Assistant Professor of Biology

Biology , 212 Olin Hall

p 315 2286495

My research focuses on mammalian reoviruses, members of the Reoviridae family of non-enveloped viruses containing genomes of 10-12 segments of double-stranded (ds) RNA. This family includes mammalian orthoreoviruses (reoviruses), orbiviruses, and rotaviruses.

Rotaviruses are the most common cause of severe diarrheal illness in children, causing over 50,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. and more than 600,000 deaths worldwide each year. In contrast, reoviruses infect many mammalian species, including humans, but are rarely associated with human disease. Accordingly, they serve as a useful model for undergraduate-focused studies of virus replication, virus-cell interactions, and viral pathogenesis.

Through the research tutorial, independent study, and summer internships, more than 20 students have conducted research in my laboratory over the last three years. Several of these projects have resulted in departmental honors. Researchers in my lab have subsequently enrolled at graduate or medical schools such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Duke University, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Ohio State University, and Vanderbilt University.

Read more about my research
See my most recent publications

Degree

BS Bates College 1997; MS Harvard Medical School 1999; PhD Harvard University 2004

Teaching Experience

Teaching fellow, Harvard University, 2002; senior teaching fellow, Harvard University, 2004

Interests

My teaching interests run the spectrum from basic molecular and cellular biology to virology and immunology and to the pathogenesis and epidemiology of infectious disease.

Currently, I contribute to Biology 212: Molecules, Cells, and Genes, in addition to the following courses:

Core Scientific Perspectives 117: Outbreak! Historical Pandemics and Emerging Infectious Diseases. This course examines three historical epidemics: the “Black Death;” cholera in London in the 1850's; and 1918 “Spanish flu,” and some more recent outbreaks, including SARS and the H1N1 influenza pandemic. Through lecture, discussion, and in-class exercises, these outbreaks are used as a framework for investigation into basic epidemiological principles. We investigate different methodologies of epidemiologic data collection, and analyze data sets derived from various outbreaks. We also discuss the microbiologic, social, and environmental factors that contribute to disease pathogenesis, and examine our current preparedness for future infectious outbreaks.

Biology 333: Microbiology. Microbiology is an incredibly broad field, loosely defined as (but not limited to) the study of organisms that require a microscope to visualize, or “microbes.” This broad classification includes the subfields of bacteriology, virology, parasitology, and mycology (among others), but has also traditionally included other disciplines, such as immunology and epidemiology, that are directly relevant to the study of microbes. Additionally, microbiology encompasses studies of microbes at levels ranging from genetics and molecular biochemistry to cellular physiology to organismal pathogenesis to global ecosystem ecology. This course aims to introduce or expand on many of these aspects of microbiology, and is loosely grouped around six themes: Microbial Principles, Microbial Genomes, Microbial Metabolism, Microbial Ecology, Microbial Diversity, and Medical Microbiology. The required laboratory component of the course aims to integrate many of these topics, and illustrate some of the principles and techniques used in the study of microbes.

Biology 373: Virology. This course is an in-depth examination of the biology of viruses. The course is developed around three units. The first examines general features of virus structure and replication. The second focuses on specific virus families and the mechanisms of pathogenesis of representative viruses. Finally, we will examine broader implications of virology, including viruses and cancer, vaccinology, and antiviral therapies. Critical reading of the primary virological literature is an important element of the course. The required laboratory component integrates instruction in modern virologic techniques into a semester-long, investigative project.

Biology 374: Immunology. This course examines the molecular and cellular components of the human immune system. We investigate the general principles that govern different components of the immune system, and integrate those principles to create a broad picture of how the immune system functions to eliminate infectious diseases. We examine the consequences of malfunctions in the immune system, and how researchers and clinicians can manipulate the immune system to positively impact human health. In addition, we emphasize how immunologists understand what they do about immune system function, as well as discuss research methods that allow for investigation of new questions about how the immune system functions.

Check out the Colgate Immunology Blog, where current students post summaries and comments on recently published papers in immunology.

Biology 484: Molecular Analysis of Cellular Responses to Microbial Infection. In this research tutorial, students develop an independent research project that investigates aspects of the cellular response to reovirus infection. We use quantitative PCR, RNAi, reporter assays, and other techniques to determine the role of cellular genes in coordinating the anti-viral response. Students utilize primary literature articles to design and test hypotheses in the laboratory, and to develop a mock grant proposal on their research. Students also participate in a weekly group journal club. At the end of the term, students present results to the department in a poster session or oral presentation, and write a paper summarizing their results in the style of a journal article.

Publications

Recent publications include the following co-authored articles (* indicates Colgate undergraduate author):

Anafu, A.A.*, Bowen, C.H., Chin, C.R., Brass, A.L., and Holm, G.H., "Interferon-inducible transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) restricts reovirus cell entry," J. Biol. Chem., 2013, epub ahead of print.

Knowlton, J.J.*, Dermody, T.S., and Holm, G.H., "Apoptosis induced by mammalian reovirus is beta interferon (IFN) independent and enhanced by IFN regulatory factor 3- and NF-kB-dependent expression of Noxa," J. Virology, 2012, 86: 1650-1660.

Danthi, P., Pruijssers, A.J., Berger, A.K., Holm, G.H., Zinkel, S.S., and Dermody, T.S., “Bid regulates the pathogenesis of neurotropic reovirus,” PLoS Pathogens, 2010, 6: e1000980.

Holm, G.H., Pruijssers, A.J., Li, L., Danthi, P., Sherry, B., and Dermody, T.S., “Interferon regulatory factor 3 attenuates reovirus myocarditis and contributes to viral clearance,” J. Virology, 2010, 84: 6900-6908.

Zurney, J., Kobayashi, T., Holm, G.H., Dermody, T.S., and Sherry, B., “The reovirus m2 protein inhibits interferon signaling through a novel mechanism involving nuclear accumulation of interferon regulatory factor-9,” J. Virology, 2009, 83: 2178-2187.

Holm, G.H., Zurney, J., Tumilasci, V., Leveille, S., Danthi, P., Sherry, B., Hiscott, J., and Dermody, T.S., "Retinoic acid-inducible gene-I and interferon-beta promoter stimulator-1 augment pro-apoptotic responses following mammalian reovirus infection via interferon regulatory factor-3," J. Biol. Chem., 2007, 282: 21953-21961.

Dissertation

Mechanisms of Bystander T Cell Apoptosis in HIV-1 Infection

Professional Experience

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine 2005-2008

Distinctions

American Society for Virology Young Investigator Award 2007;
Individual Postdoctoral Ruth L. Kirchstein National Research Service Award 2006;
Vanderbilt University Postdoctoral Fellowship Enhancement Award 2005;
Institutional Postgraduate Fellowship, Molecular and Cellular Microbiology Departmental Training Grant 2005;
Harvard College Certificate of Distinction in Teaching 2002