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Project 3 Leader: Michael King, PhD
Project 3 Co-Leader: David Nanus, MD
This project is focused on understanding the fundamental physical mechanisms of circulating tumor cell adhesion to inflamed endothelium under flow, as a critical step in the hematologic spread of metastatic cancers. It will address how the vascular microenvironment controls the recruitment and extravasation of circulating tumor cells. Micro/nanofabrication, fluid mechanics, and surface chemistry techniques will be used to accurately recreate elements of the complex in vivo microenvironment. Aims of the project are to: |
Apply a multiscale model to predict rolling and firm adhesion of circulating tumor cells |
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Characterizatize the adhesion of CTCs to defined molecular surfaces and endothelial cell monolayers under physiological shear stress |
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Study circulating tumor cell adhesion, mechanical plugging and extravasation in a live animal model |
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