An In Vitro Approach to Model Tumor Self-Seeding Using Three-Dimensional Microfluidics

Hadley, Pierce

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/75912 Copy

Description

Title

An In Vitro Approach to Model Tumor Self-Seeding Using Three-Dimensional Microfluidics

Author(s)

Hadley, Pierce

Contributor(s)

Bhargava, Rohit

Issue Date

2015-04

Keyword(s)

• Bioengineering
• Cancer Studies
• 3-D Printing
• Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Cancer is an immensely complicated problem in both engineering and medicine. It is an unfortunate fact that all of us will be affected by cancer, either directly or indirectly. As a bioengineer, my passion therefore my purpose--is to give all that I can in an attempt to improve or save lives. Because of this, I have devoted my entire research interests towards the problem of cancer. One of the phenomenon in cancer that has piqued my interest is the process of tumor self-seeding. A tumor self-seeds when circulating tumor cells (CTCs) return to their primary tumor site, either from the primary tumor or from distant metastatic sites. Self-seeding could explain several observed complications such as tumor relapse post-excision and tumor drug resistance after chemotherapy. Using a newly developed process based on freeform 3D printing, we can construct complex microfluidic hydrogels with tunable geometry and flows. This will allow us to observe migration of CTCs between the breast ducts and vasculature and will provide greater insight into the process of tumor self-seeding. Here, we can see a breast duct (purple) and vasculature (red and blue) printed out of a carbohydrate glass before they have been placed in gel. For more information about the Image of Research--Undergraduate Edition go to: http://go.library.illinois.edu/imageofresearch_uredition

Type of Resource

• text
• image

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/75912

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2015 Pierce Hadley

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