PS-OC CTO Project 3

Physical Sciences — Oncology Center Project 3
Project 3 explores the heterogeneity in transport barriers of pancreatic cancer as a direct result of multiple genetic aberrations seen in the disease. Furthermore, the effect of these most relevant genes/pathways on the transport phenotype is dependent on the specific stage of tumor development (i.e., localized, locally advanced and metastatic), with the most pronounced transport differentials anticipated to occur at early stages of tumor development. The transport phenotype offers a mechanistic explanation for the clinical observations associated with prognostic genomic biomarkers and that this physical sciences-driven analysis will help identify novel biomarkers. Moreover, the analysis provides the basis for the rational design of innovative therapeutic strategies. Herein, we aim to characterize the transport phenotype as part of a broader approach for personalized medicine: the biophysical marker.