That Takes Nerve: Co-Culturing an Interest in Cancer Neuroscience

That Takes Nerve: Co-Culturing an Interest in Cancer Neuroscience

Collections: Image Award Winners, Cancer Discovery Science

2023 Award Winner

Jennifer Su, Jimmy Guo, Carina Shiau, Nicole Lester, Peter Wang, Tyler Jacks, William Hwang

Koch Institute at MIT, Massachusetts General Hospital

Nerve cells are frequently overlooked in studies of the tumor microenvironment—which also includes blood vessels, immune cells, and many others—but they play a significant role in cancer patients’ survival and quality of life.

 

Using genetically engineered mini-organs, the Jacks and Hwang Labs created a 3D model system where pancreatic cancer cells (green/cyan) interact with nerve cells (magenta). They seek to understand how the nervous system impacts tumor formation, growth, metastasis, and even drug resistance.

 

tendrils of magenta-colored cells lace between bubbles of green-colored cells

Video

William Hwang presents on his image.