Defining the mechano-chemical signals controlling cancer cell invasion

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Cancer metastasis initiates through invasion of subsets of cells away from the primary tumour into the surrounding stroma and towards the blood stream. The organisation of tumour microenvironment, including the mechanical properties of the matrix, is known to influence the mode and dynamics of invasion but the mechanisms governing this remain poorly defined. This project will combine advanced microscopy, biophysics and computational analysis to define the precise local mechano-chemical signalling cues that drive tumour cell invasion into 3-dimensional matrices. Data arising from the study will provide novel insight into the signalling specification of invasive cells and potentially reveal new ways to prevent metastasis.