EFRI-CBE: Emerging Frontiers in 3-D Breast Cancer Tissue Test Systems

PI名称：K.J.伯格研究所：克莱姆森大学提案编号：0736007 EFRI-CBE：3-D乳腺癌组织测试系统的新兴前沿这个项目的愿景是开发和展示一种研究乳腺组织中癌细胞复杂行为的新的、综合的方法。该方法的中心目标是建立一种体外工程化组织结构，复制正常细胞和癌细胞的体内行为，并允许操纵环境参数来建立因果模型。具体地说，拟议工作的终点将是将乳腺癌细胞和生物分子行为描述为氧气水平和组织硬度的交互函数的数学关系，从而增加对疾病机制的理解。建议的方法将需要开发新的实验和分析工具来制造分层结构的组织，并在此框架内评估细胞行为。将开发的关键工具包括3D组织制造系统、将癌细胞迁移和增殖与组织氧和硬度水平相关联的真实数学模型，以及新型纳米颗粒氧传感器。该项目将导致开发能够以可重复的方式构建组织的3D制造系统和统计方法。也就是说，制造的组织可以用作个性化诊断，用来优化现有的治疗方法，开发新药，以及开发新的疫苗。这项拟议的工作将导致动物科学、生物学、化学、工程学、临床医学和统计学之间的思想和方法的交叉授粉，这对研究人员来说是一个独特的培训机会。参与拟议的多学科小组将为个人调查人员提供对其自己领域的新见解。参与拟议项目的学生将沉浸在包括科学家、工程师和临床医生在内的技术多样化的环境中，并将磨练许多对2020年工程师或科学家至关重要的技能，包括沟通、领导力和团队合作。通过精心设计的教育标准和社区推广计划，将有不同群体的学生(K-研究生)和教育工作者(K-12)参与进来。

PI name: K.J. Burg Institution: Clemson University Proposal Number: 0736007 EFRI-CBE: Emerging Frontiers in 3-D Breast Cancer Tissue Test Systems AbstractThe vision for this project is to develop and demonstrate a new, integrative means of studying the complex behavior of cancer cells in breast tissue. The approach centers on the goal of building an in vitro engineered tissue structure that reproduces the in vivo behavior of the normal and cancerous cells and allows manipulation of environmental parameters to build cause and affect models. Specifically, the end-point of the proposed work will be mathematical relationships describing breast cancer cellular and biomolecular behavior as interactive functions of oxygen level and tissue stiffness, and thus an increased understanding of disease mechanisms. The proposed approach will require development of new experimental and analytical tools to fabricate tissues of hierarchical structure and to assess cell behavior within this framework. The key tools to be developed include a 3D tissue fabrication system, realistic mathematical models to relate cancer cell migration and proliferation with tissue oxygen and stiffness levels, and a novel nanoparticle oxygen sensor.This project will result in the development of a 3D fabrication system and statistical methodology capable of building tissue in repeatable manner. That is, the fabricated tissue may be used as a personalized diagnostic with which to optimize existing therapeutics, develop new drugs, and develop new vaccines. The cross-pollination of ideas and methods between animal science, biology, chemistry, engineering, clinical medicine, and statistics that will result from this proposed work represents a unique training opportunity for the Investigators. Participation on the proposed multi-disciplinary team will provide individual investigators new insights into their own field. Students involved in the proposed program will be immersed in a technically diverse environment including scientists, engineers, and clinicians, and will hone many skills crucial to the 2020 engineer or scientist, including communication, leadership, and teamwork. Through a carefully crafted educational rubric as well as community outreach program, a diverse population of students (K-postgraduate) and educators (K-12) will be engaged.