In vitro three dimensional models of breast cancer-cell metastasis to bone.

This MITACS Globalink Award research proposal aims to engineer and characterize biomimetic dense collagenous gels as in vitro models for studying breast cancer metastasis to bone. At McGill, we have advanced the Gel Aspiration-Ejection (GAE) technique, a robust and simple method to create 3D anisotropic, cellular dense collagen (DC) gels. By applying negative pressure, collagen gels are aspirated into a capillary, inducing compaction and mesoscale anisotropy, and then controllably ejected by reversing the pressure. This technique also facilitates the alignment of seeded cells, influencing their morphology and differentiation. Our research has shown that DC gels serve as excellent in vitro bone extracellular matrix-like models, enhancing osteogenic differentiation and matrix mineralization via carbonate hydroxyapatite formation. The goal of this collaboration is to investigate the impact of metastatic breast cancer cells on collagen alignment and osteoblast-mediated mineralization. At UCL, Professor Cheema’s team will provide expertise on three-dimensional in vitro tumor models and the analysis of interactions between breast cancer and osteoblastic cells co-cultured in the GAE-generated DC gels. This collaborative visit will further our understanding of bone metastasis and contribute to developing new strategies for cancer treatment.

Faculty Supervisor:

Showan Nazhat

Student:

Partner:

University College London

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

McGill University

Program: