Complex Tissue Models that Mimic the Tumour Microenvironment, Heterogeneity and Invasion of Cancer

The main goal is the development of cell culture model systems to recapitulate key aspects of cancer progression and to functionally validate biomarkers, target genes, and molecular signaling pathways. HCSLab develops complex, organotypic cell-and tissue culture models specifically for phenotypic high content screening, in the areas of both oncology and neuronal diseases. The tumour models aim towards the faithful recapitulation of the complex histology of tumours, including the role of the tumour microenvironment, and monitoring of dynamic cellular processes such as tumour/stroma interactions, tumor cell plasticity, differentiation versus de-differentiation, and tumour cell invasiveness. We recreate living tumour microtissues in vitro for real-time, live cell monitoring of disease processes. The development of complex 3D co-culture models is combined with thorough standardization and miniaturization of the assays, and assisted by automated image analysis software to allow real-time, live cell screening. We will further demonstrate the use of statistical and mathematical algorithms to quantitatively assess the most relevant and significant morphometric changes in tissue architecture upon drug exposure and genetic modifications.