Abstract

Cancer-on-a-Chip Model of Colorectal Cancer Progression

Shannon Mumenthaler, Assistant Professor of Medicine & Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Ellison Institute

The highly complex and evolving nature of cancer makes it challenging to study. Here we describe a microfluidic organ-on-chip platform, incorporating tissue-tissue interfaces and physical forces, to support novel interrogations of colorectal cancer progression. We will cover advancements made through combining organoids and an organ-on-chip model with high content imaging and mass spectrometry-based metabolomics, which provide measurements that capture spatial and temporal cancer cell dynamics. This work reveals important interactions between colorectal cancer cells and their microenvironment, which can be used to prevent or delay cancer progression.