The tumour microenvironment encompasses many different cell types including cancer cells, stromal cells, immune cells, and the extracellular matrix (ECM), that interact and collectively influence cancer progression and treatment outcomes.
Recently, computational mathematical models have been proved efficient in testing hypotheses and giving insights about tumour microenvironment functionalities. Among those, hybrid multiscale models combine different techniques that simulate both inter- and intra-cellular interactions.
In this context, we present a 3D model of cancer cell invasion, aiming to study the different modes of cell migration through the extracellular matrix and to predict means to block it by considering spatial information, molecules’ diffusion and intracellular regulation.
The model was constructed using PhysiBoSS, a multiscale framework, which combines agent-based modelling and continuous time Markov processes applied on Boolean network models.
Our multiscale model successfully reproduces single and collective migration processes reported in published experiments on cell invasion. These experiments include various aspects such as the role of p63 expression in regulating MT1-MMP, the spatio-temporal activation of SRC triggering collective migration, and the influence of different collagen densities on invasion modes. In silico experiments can be performed to suggest potential targets capable of inhibiting highly invasive tumour phenotypes.

About the speaker

Marco Ruscone is a PhD student in the Computation Systems Biology of Cancer group at Institut Curie, Paris. He started his academic career in Turin, Italy, where he pursued his bachelor degree in Physics and master degree in Physics of Complex Systems for the Biology, at Università degli Studi di Torino.
Currently, his work focuses on developing multiscale models of cancer using a mixed approach of agent-based modelling and simulation on Boolean networks.

Who is this course for?

This webinar is part of PerMedCoE webinar series and is open for researchers in the life sciences, bioinformaticians, biomedical scientists, and anyone interested in simulation of machine learning, mathematical modelling, agent-based modelling, and signalling network.

The goal of PerMedCoE is to provide an efficient and sustainable entry point to the HPC/Exascale-upgraded methodology to translate omics analyses into actionable models of cellular functions of medical relevance.

Outcomes

By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

• Describe the purpose of the multiscale modelling technique for modelling the tumour microenvironment
• Cite a new way to perform in-silico simulations and explore the effects of mutants both at single cell and cell population level

This webinar, hosted on Zoom Webinar, is free to attend, but you need to register for a place beforehand, using the 'Register' button. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the webinar.