The analysis of physical properties of cells undergoing malignant transformation
is a highly important and emerging field in current cancer research, cellular
biophysics, and cell biology. Recent findings in this novel research field
revealed that biomechanical properties of cancer cells promote tumor growth,
cell motility and metastasis formation within the human body. In the focus
of the studies are certain observations regarding biomechanical properties:
First, the actin cortex of cancer cells is pronouncedly softer and hence
supports elevated tumor growth and enhanced cell division. Second, although
the actin cortex softens, the cancer cells can still resist high pressures
exerted from the microenvironment which enables the primary tumor to break-through
the tumor boundaries and invade into the surrounding connective tissue
extracellular matrix. In return, components of the cytoskeleton are pronounced
which results in an overall stiffening of the primary tumor. Third, the
ability to transmit and generate contractile forces of cancer cells increases
their aggressive potential to invade into the connective tissue microenvironment
and promote tumor progression and metastasis formation.
Finally, these novel insights have an impact on the understanding of
how and why certain cancer cells get the ability to invade into the human
body and form metastases at targeted sites. Thus, we are convinced that
this Physics of Cancer 2012 Symposium will provide state-of-the-art research
technologies, high-class knowledge and fruitful discussions.
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Biomechanics (Biopolymers, Networks, Rheology, Cytoskeleton, Cell Shape)
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Forces, Motion, Adhesion (Cell Motility, Assembly, Molecular Motors, Cell
Division)
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Oncology
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Imaging
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Alexander Bershadsky (Israel)
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David Boettiger (USA)
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John A. Condeelis (USA)
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Dennis E. Discher (USA)
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Daniel Fletcher (USA)
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Margaret Frame (UK)
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Margaret Gardel (USA)
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Martin Herrmann (Germany)
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Evamarie Hey-Hawkins (Germany)
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Paul Janmey (USA)
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Jean-Francois Joanny (France)
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Staffan Johansson (Sweden)
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Josef A. Käs (Germany)
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Gijsje Koenderink (Netherlands)
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Jan Lammerding (USA)
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Roderick Lim (Switzerland)
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M. Lisa Manning (USA)
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Thomas M. Magin (Germany)
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Claudia T. Mierke (Germany)
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Larry Nagahara (USA)
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Julie Plastino (France)
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Florian Rehfeldt (Germany)
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Erik Sahai (UK)
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Joachim P. Spatz (Germany)
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Valerie M. Weaver (USA)
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