Bioanalysis of 3D Tissue and Tumor Models

To learn more about how we prepare our paper-based scaffolds for preparing 3D tissue and tumor-like structures, please visit our procedure page (link). 

Screening Environmental Toxins

A large number of environmentally ubiquitous chemicals have little-to-no toxicological data. We are developing a screening platform capable of identifying estrogen receptor modulators in 3D breast cultures. 

We are particularly interested in both platform development as well as elucidating the role of the tissue microenvironment in regulating estrogen signaling in healthy and cancerous breast tissue models.​

Drug Resistance in Tumors 

​Hypoxia is correlated with poor patient outcomes in both breast and colon cancers. Poorly vascularized tumors have highly exaggerated extracellular gradients of oxygen, nutrients, and pH when compared to healthy tissues. These gradients result in regions of low oxygen tension, poor nutrient supplies, and acidic.

Resistance to chemotherapies is common in poorly vascularized tumors. We are constructing breast and colon tumor models to understand drug permeation, metabolism, and mechanisms of resistance in both well- and poorly vascularized tissue.

Mapping the Microenvironment 

To better characterize cellular responses to their extracellular environment, we are generating luminescent and electrochemical sensors that are capable of quantifying the formation and maintenance of gradients in our 3D cultures. To date, we have prepared luminescent thin films capable of quantifying the oxygen and pH gradients present in our cultures. We are working to expand these sensors to simultaneously quantify a number of analytes in a high spatial and temporal manner.

We are also developing methods to quantify intracellular levels of oxygen, nutrients, and pH. These sensors will allow us to determine the range of cellular responses within a particular region of an extracellular gradient or across a range of concentrations in the gradient.

Quantifying Cellular Invasion

We have developed two different formats of a paper-based invasion assay, both of which give us different information about cellular movement in extracellular gradients. In our stack assay format, we can stratify populations of cells based on their level of invasiveness. In our channel assay format, we are able to track cellular movement in real-time. 

We have also developed a paper-based alternative to the traditionally used Transwell assay, affording a cost-effective alternative to quantifying cellular movement in the presence of chemokines or co-culture formats.

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We thank the following organizations for their support (previous and continued) of our work and allowing us to realize new science!