Shuichi Takayama, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Georgia Tech

This presentation will give an overview of microfluidic technologies that aim to better analyze and bioengineer tumors. The presentation will describe microchannel- and droplet-based in vitro models of tumors. The microfluidic technologies are used to study cell signaling, migration and metastasis as well as to perform drug screening. 

Specific applications that will be introduced include: 

(1) Use of laminar flow to stimulate parts of single cell and reveal differences in subcellular EGF signaling in normal vs cancer cells.
(2) The role of the chemokine, CXCL12, and its receptors CXCR4 and CXCR7 in mediating intravascular tumor adhesion and chemotaxis.
(3) DNA vector microprinting using aqueous two phase systems to screen cancer invasion genes.
(4) Hanging drop-based high-throughput tumor spheroid drug testing.
(5) Efforts to incorporate stromal cells and immune cells into the in vitro systems.