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Project

Modeling of invasive cancer-cell force application mechanisms and setup of cancer-cell transvascular mechanobiology experiments

Understanding the mechanisms by which cancer cells apply forces to their environment to invade is crucial to classify tumor risk-levels and choice of treatment. Weihs lab have developed an approach to identify invasiveness of cancer cells, i.e. the metastatic risk. Specifically, a subpopulation of metastatic cells will indent a synthetic, impenetrable gel, while benign cells do not. However, the force application mechanisms are unclear and revealing them may allow more accurate diagnosis and treatment-choice. In the joint project we will utilize Weihs lab results to extend models developed at the Van Oosterwyck lab to identify cell force application mechanisms; this will also augment the Van Oosterwyck model in general. Concurrently, we will jointly develop an experimental system to evaluate mechanical invasiveness of cancer cells on angiogenic blood vessels.
Date:1 Jul 2018 →  30 Jun 2020
Keywords:invasive cancer
Disciplines:Biological system engineering, Biomaterials engineering, Biomechanical engineering, Medical biotechnology, Other (bio)medical engineering, Orthopaedics, Surgery, Nursing, Biomechanics