One of the major characteristics of cancer cells is their ability to invade locally and to metastasize to distant organs. Scientists have studied these processes but there is still much to learn. In our project we use a nanotechnology approach called nanopatterning to more closely investigate the invasive behavior of tumor cells. This approach allows us to see how the arrangements of molecules around the cancer cells affect their behavior. Hopefully we will discover some of the key events in cancer cell invasion and metastasis and then be able to use this information to point the way to new therapies.
Clinical Impact
This project will use nanotechnology to give unique insights into the behavior of invasive and metastatic cancer cells. This will lead to new approaches to cancer therapeutics.
Research Summary
This project combines two key technologies to allow a unique approach to study of cancer cell motility and invasion. First, by using nanopatterned surfaces that are regulated electrochemically, it allows real time alterations in the presentation of cell adhesive ligands. Surfaces can be patterned in a variety of shapes and molecular gradients can be generated. This challenges the cells with a changing environment just as occurs in vivo. Second, the cells studied are engineered to express a variety of fluorescent biosensors that monitor the state of activation and subcellular localization of key signaling proteins such as Rho GTPases and tyrosine kinases. This allows a quantitative correlation of signal transduction process with changes in cell shape, migration and invasion.
Nanopatterned Surfaces
