The UW Carbone Cancer Center (UWCCC) Tumor Microenvironment Research Program seeks to understand the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways by which the extracellular matrix, growth factors, stromal cells and immune cells promote cancer progression, including angiogenesis and metastasis. 

Program Leader (pictured left)
Patricia J. Keely, PhD

Co-Leader
Paul Bertics, PhD

View all program participants

Program Summary

• Program focused on tumor/stromal and growth factor signaling.
  
  
• Strong group of researchers in extracellular matrix, cell migration, angiogenesis, growth factor signaling.
  
  
• Extensive development and use of novel technology, especially imaging, nanotechnology, engineering platforms, liquid crystal biosensors.
  
  
• Incorporation of outstanding bio- and chemical engineering faculty into cell biology- unique capacity to expand current technology.
  
  
• Strong basic and translational interactions on breast cancer, angiogenesis, and glioblastoma.

Future Plans

• Continue to expand engineering-based studies on cell signaling and in developing cancer diagnostics and evaluative tools.
  
  
• Support services and the sharing of expertise to perform in vivo investigations in animal models.
  
  
• Optimize the use of state of the art imaging approaches that are being developed on campus:
  • Laboratory for Optical and Computational Instrumentation (LOCI)
  • Small animal imaging (PET, CT, MRI)
  • P50 Initiative for Imaging
    
    
• Make use of campus strength in chemical biology, nanotechnology, and materials approaches:
  • Nanoscience Engineering Center (NSEC);
  • Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC)
    
    
• Promote translational cancer research via research groups, DOWGs, and joint grant submissions.

Program Profile for Full Members

Full Membership:
20 members
18 departments
   5 schools

Project Funding as of 10/2009 (direct costs):

Peer-reviewed	$ 7.0M	40
NCI	$1.7M	8
NIH	$4.4M	24
ACS	$0M	0
NSF	$0.3M	1
Other	$0.5M	7
Non peer-reviewed	$0.3M	5
Total	$7.3M	45

Publications
(Full members only)