Invited Talk

Physics of Cancer - From Fundamental Biophysics to Translational Research

Experimental Medical Physics, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany

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Understanding the origin and progression of cancer from a physics point of view has been of rising interest over the last decade. Such understanding complements biological and biochemical aspects and has fundamental implications for medical diagnosis and treatment. For example, much is now about the biological changes such as developments of different genotypes and molecular expression levels characterizing the status of a malignant cells. However, recent mechanobiological understanding enables to link the aggressiveness of a cell type with its mechanical characteristics. Studies on the subcellular architecture, the cytoskeletal filaments and cellular migration gave rise to novel developments to quantify and analyze molecular and cellular data. For example, label-free SHG or THG microscopy with real-time observation of in vitro and in vivo samples provided a better understanding of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition and the onset of invasion. Single-molecule tracking may help to understand viral entry in cells and atomic force microscopy characterizes the cell elastic properties. Moreover, while cell biology has primarily been an observational science, recent developments of optogenetics or nanoscale agents give use the tools at hand to actively manipulate distinct biological processes.

The field Physics of Cancer covers much more than the mentioned examples, also involving medical imaging e.g. using tomographs or endoscopes. Based on the focus of this conference, here I only report about in vitro studies on a single cell level. I will present how advancing super resolution microscopy and time resolved FRET provide understanding in cell signaling activation, how magnetic nanoparticles may enable efficient manipulation of cell signaling pathways, and how real-time monitoring of CAR T-cell killing classifies the efficiency of chimeric antigen receptors.