Michael Thompson, Ph.D. Email & Phone Number

Research Chemistry and Life Science patents and provide written opinions regarding the novelty of the proposed inventions.

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma (eRMS) is the most common childhood soft tissue sarcoma which stems from muscle tissue; the importance and function of FoxO1 fusion genes in eRMS is currently not clear. We regenerated the novel fusion gene from sequencing results from patient tumor tissue using PCR sewing to expand the current knowledge of the role of FoxO1 fusion genes and proteins in this disease. We found that while overexpression of this fusion gene alone was not enough to transform muscle cells in vitro, its overexpression did cause a reduction of endogenous FOXO1 target gene expression as well as prevent skeletal muscle cell fusion, which is necessary for normal development of muscle fibers, a key feature of eRMS. Our findings here help build a case for characterizing the role of observed fusion genes to better understand the formation of eRMS, as well as the necessity of endogenous FOXO1 in muscle fiber formation.Prdm16 was identified as one of eight transcription factors important for artery-vein specification in cultured vs fresh endothelial cells, however its role in mammalian developmental angiogenesis was previously unknown. We investigated the role of PRDM16 in endothelial cells using mouse embryos, brains, and retinas. Our data has indicated that endothelial cell specific loss of Prdm16 causes decreased vascular smooth muscle cell recruitment around the arteries and ectopic expression of the venous markers COUP-TFII and ENDOMUCIN in the arterial endothelial cells, indicating a potential loss of arterial specification in these endothelial cells. RNA-seq results showed that Angpt2 expression was increased with loss of Prdm16, and Prdm16 overexpression in venous endothelial cells decreased the expression of Angpt2.

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

• Acquired necessary material for, designed, and executed experiments necessary to assess the role of a novel fusion gene observed in an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma patient at institution. This included optimizing protocols for using gene sewing technology, focus formation and soft agar colony formation assays, and in vitro skeletal muscle differentiation. • Responsible for daily monitoring of mouse colony, ensuring that all mice were kept in compliance with institutional welfare guidelines. Primary point of contact with the institute’s animal care staff to resolve animal health and welfare concerns as necessary.• Assisted in screening potential group members. Developed and administered a practical assessment of basic laboratory skills. Independently developed and wrote a grading rubric for future practical administrators, which included how to consistently assess both laboratory skills and desirable soft skills, such as scientific enthusiasm, understanding, and basic problem solving.• Responsible for developing procedures from publications and working with postdoctoral members to troubleshoot these procedures. Wrote optimized procedures into protocols that were clear and ready for use by group members. Provided training to new group members on performing various laboratory procedures ranging from genotyping to retina dissection. • Provided scientific feedback on data generated by group at weekly meetings. Clearly presented data at weekly group meetings and quarterly institutional meetings to solicit feedback from the wider scientific community and potential future directions and study improvements from senior researchers.

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Member of a small team responsible for assessing IP from University of Cincinnati investigators and associates. Independently conducted prior art searches for outside patent council and provided necessary information to project managers to determine best course of action on IP, as well as examining freedom to operate, analyzing the potential marker of the IP, and acquiring information necessary for marketing the IP to potential sponsors.

Lexington, Kentucky, United States

• Member of 3rd party quality assurance team which tested athletic supplements for banned chemicals. Responsible for performing secondary data review and training staff members for primary data review, sample preparation and extraction techniques, and basic LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS operation and troubleshooting. Worked closely with upper management and laboratory staff to ensure timely turnaround for client samples. • Primary instrument operator for group’s Waters Acquity and ABSciex 5500 LC-MS/MS system. Responsible for ensuring system was performing to minimum analysis requirements, optimizing new chemical targets for analysis, troubleshooting advanced issues, and coordinating repairs and preventative maintenance. Developed a new analysis method to reduce sample run time by 40% and provide equal quality of sample analysis. • Worked closely with Quality Assurance Department to execute monthly blind testing of other groups to assure compliance with testing standards.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Chemistry And Biology

Activities and Societies: Alpha Phi Omega (2011-2012)