General Information - 3rd Physics of Cancer Symposium

PoC - Physics of Cancer - Annual Symposium

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.

Biomechanics (Biopolymers, Networks, Rheology, Cytoskeleton, Cell Shape)
Forces, Motion, Adhesion (Cell Motility, Assembly, Molecular Motors, Cell Division)
Oncology
Imaging