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The role of engineering approaches in analysing cancer invasion and metastasis

Nature Reviews Cancer volume 13, pages 596–603 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

In the past decade, novel materials, probes and tools have enabled fundamental and applied cancer researchers to take a fresh look at the complex problem of tumour invasion and metastasis. These new tools, which include imaging modalities, controlled but complex in vitro culture conditions, and the ability to model and predict complex processes in vivo, represent an integration of traditional with novel engineering approaches; and their potential effect on quantitatively understanding tumour progression and invasion looks promising.

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Figure 1: Mechanobiology at various lengthscales.
Figure 2: Multiscale modelling.

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to acknowledge US National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant 1U01CA177799-01 and National Science Foundation Grant 1206635 for generous support. Also, feedback from M. Schwartz on key references is greatly appreciated.

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  1. Muhammad H. Zaman is at The Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, 44 Cummington Street, Boston MA 02215, USA.,

    Muhammad H. Zaman

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Zaman, M. The role of engineering approaches in analysing cancer invasion and metastasis. Nat Rev Cancer 13, 596–603 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrc3564

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