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A hallmark of cancer is the spread, or metastasis, of cells from the tumor to distant tissues and organs. This project looks at how the physical forces exerted upon cancer cells by confinement within a tumor can regulate the migration of these cells, both collectively and alone.

Pathologic and in vivo experimental evidence tells us that cancer cells like to travel in groups as they leave a tumor site and spread to other parts of the body. In this project, we investigate the forces involved in organizing the collective migration of breast cancer cells in both 2D and 3D environments.

Low oxygen in a tumor (hypoxia) dramatically increases pulmonary metastasis and results in poor clinical outcomes. However, little is known about the effects of hypoxia on sarcoma cells and the microenvironment. In this project, we are learning how primary tumor cells respond to oxygen in their microenvironment.