TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENTS ON CHIPS: FROM IN VITRO 3D CULTURES TO EX VIVO PATIENT EXPLANTS

Description:
This workshop focuses on recent advances in on-chip tumor microenvironment modeling and provides a broad spectrum of tissue model approaches, from in vitro 3D tumor models generated from the bottom up with cancer cells, stromal cells, endothelial cells, and surrounding matrix, to ex vivo patient explant models that are studied on-chip as complex and intact tumor samples. This workshop also discusses the latest developments in tumor immunology and tumor-stromal interactions from a biological perspective to spur discussions on how microfluidics can accelerate research on tumor microenvironments. A unique element of this workshop is a tour of the University of Montreal’s Hospital Research Center (CRCHUM) Microfluidics Core Facility directed by Prof. Thomas Gervais and by Prof. Anne-Marie Mes-Masson.

Objectives:
All conference participants interested in learning about latest advances in the methods to culture cancer tumor models in different microfluidic platforms, including 3D spheroids, vascular networks for angiogenesis, as well as patient tissue explants that can be loaded into microfluidic devices.