Our Center will be organized both to de-convolve cancer’s complexity and to understand the interaction of mechanical forces and chemical cues in cancer metastasis, pursuing experimental and theoretical approaches. This quantitative information will enable a fundamental understanding that may yield new pathways to intervene in the progression of cancer.
The research will primarily involve in vitro models, intermediate between isolated cells and animals.Using the techniques of nano and microfabrication we will build 3-D human tissue constructs that model closely the authentic nature of tumor systems or the interaction of isolated (metastatic) cancer cells with normal tissues. These systems can be constructed with precise spatial and temporal control, for the controlled application of stimuli to them.When coupled with high-quality imaging and analytical techniques, the quantitative responses of the model system to stimuli can be measured directly.The stimuli are often mechanical in nature, and these stimuli have been underexplored. The primary goal is to design novel experimental approaches that provide quantitative insight into the underlying mechanisms of cancer metastasis and initial development of cancer.We believe that we can contribute to this aspect of understanding cancer, and, in conjunction with complementary studies at other physical science oncology centers, lead to a more complete understanding of cancer. |
