Download When Cancer Cells Begin to Colonise

PREDICTIVE
Computer modelling
identifies which
biological network
elements should be
tested in animal
models.
TRANSLATABLE
The model can be
applied to other
cancers now that it has
been proven in
mammalian cells.
TARGETED
Minimises
unnecessary costly
and time-consuming in
vivo testing.
SWIFT
Target identification
times can be reduced
by a factor of 4.
When Cancer Cells
Begin to Colonise
In fact, few cancer sufferers will die as a result of their primary
tumour. Metastasis (where the cancerous cells spread) is
responsible for most deaths. It is also, unfortunately, the least
understood process within cancer research. SBI researchers set
out to create a model which they could use to better understand
this process.
A mathematical model was created that could both replicate the
movement of cancerous cells, and simulate how to block these
cells and thus prevent metastasis. This model was then calibrated
using experimental data from proteomics experiments.
The resultant model is both predictive and translatable. It allows
cancer researchers to identify which network elements should be
inhibited in animal model testing to further the research. This
reduces the number of in vivo experiments necessary, telling us
which measurements are informative or otherwise. This
dramatically shortens the target identification process from years to
a matter of months.
Systems Biology Ireland,
University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Tel: +353 1 716 6979 Email: [email protected]
www.ucd.ie/sbi