Physical Science-Oncology Network The National Cancer Institute (NCI) supports a collaborative network of Physical Sciences-Oncology Centers (PS-OCs) and Physical Sciences Oncology Projects (PS-OPs). Learn More
Moffitt researchers predict melanoma responses through mathematical modeling A study led by Alexander "Sandy" Anderson, Ph.D., a PI of the Moffitt Cancer Center PS-OC and Chair of the Integrated Mathematical Oncology (IMO) department at Moffitt Cancer Center, and Eunjung Kim, Ph.D., an applied research scientist, shows how mathematical modeling can accurately predict patient responses to cancer drugs in a virtual clinical trial. By using a range of mathematical modeling approaches targeted at specific types of cancer, these researchers are aiding in the development and testing of new treatment strategies, as well as facilitating a deeper understanding of why they fail. This study was recently published in the November issue of the European Journal of Cancer. Learn more
Franziska Michor received the 2016 AACR Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cancer Research Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) PS-OC PI Franziska Michor received the award in recognition of her meritorious early achievements in cancer research. Dr. Michor delivered her award lecture titled "Biology and Dynamics of Cancer Evolution" at the Annual Meeting 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Learn More
Activation of proto-oncogenes by disruption of chromosome neighborhoods A study by Dr. Job Dekker, co-investigator of the Northwestern University PS-OC was recently published in Science Magazine. The research article discusses the activation of proto-oncogenes by disruption of chromosome neighborhoods. These findings strongly support disruption of chromatin structure as causally linked to tumorigenesis, and suggest that such disruptions may be the hidden culprit driving many tumors. Learn More
The Forces of Cancer Authors Lance Munn and Rakesh Jain of Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital published “The Forces of Cancer” in The Scientist Magazine. The article illustrates it is becoming quite clear that a tumor’s physical environment can influence cancer development and spread. The April issue will be distributed at the American Association for Cancer Research 2016 annual meeting in New Orleans. Learn More
Moffitt PS-OC research featured in TIME Magazine online A study led by Dr. Robert Gatenby and Dr. Robert Gillies, co-PIs of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute PS-OC, was recently published in Science Translational Medicine. The research article illustrates a novel evolutionary approach to maximize the efficacy of chemotherapy while minimizing toxicity in preclinical models of breast cancer. Dr. Gatenby and his team’s findings were featured in TIME Magazine online where questions were raised about whether current chemotherapy regimens are the best approach to treating cancer patients. Learn More
Sharon Gerecht receives inaugural JHU President's Frontier Award Johns Hopkins University (JHU) PS-OC investigator Sharon Gerecht received the JHU President's Frontier Award to explore new 'outside-of-the-box' avenues of research. Sean Sun, another JHU PS-OC investigator was awarded as an outstanding finalist for the prize. Learn More
Franziska Michor received the 2015 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) PS-OC PI Franziska Michor received the prize in recognition of her outstanding early achievements in biomedical sciences. Learn More
Personalized Medicine for Breast Cancer. Robb Report, October 2014 An interview with Dr. Peter Kuhn and Dr. Jim Hicks of the Scripps Research Institute PS-OC Learn More
The Mathematician Versus the Malignancy Mathematical biologists are working with clinicians to test whether sophisticated treatment schedules can improve the efficacy of existing cancer drugs. Learn more
Dr. Thomas O’Halloran at the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology Watch Dr. Thomas O’Halloran, co-Principal Investigator of the Northwestern University PS-OC, at the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) as he discusses how new investment aimed at stimulating rapid innovation in diagnosis and treatment will be strongly accelerated by bringing interdisciplinary teams of oncologists and cancer biologists together with outsiders. Watch Here
Paul Davies at New Scientist Live Event in London Hear leading cosmologist and author Paul Davies describe new insights that come from looking at cancer cells as physical objects - including a radically new approach to therapy. This New Scientist Live event took place at Conway Hall, London, on 5 June 2013. Paul Davies directs the Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science at Arizona State University. Listen Here
Tracking Ovarian Cancer Through Blood Cells Dr. Kelly Bethel, from the Scripps PS-OC discusses how monitoring Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) in the blood of ovarian cancer patients is being used to monitor to track response to treatments and disease progression. Listen Here
Dr. Franziska Michor on "When does 2 + 2 = LIFE?" Franziska Michor, PI of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute PS-OC discusses how mathematical approaches can help us understand and combat cancer at the TEDMED conference. Watch Here
Cancer in 3-D Denis Wirtz from the Johns Hopkins University PS-OC presents his research on how 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional environments impact cancer and cell migration. Video courtesy of the Northwestern University PS-OC. Watch Here
Fundamental Mechanochemistry of Tumor Progression Jan Liphardt of the University of California, Berkeley PS-OC discusses the research on how cell mechanics and physical forces regulate tissue architecture and cancer progression. Video courtesy of the Northwestern University PS-OC. Watch Here
Measuring a Single Cell's Density Scott Manalis and colleagues at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology PS-OC have designed a microfluidic device to determine the mass and density of single cells. Video Courtesy of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Watch Here
Real-time Intravital Microscopy for Optimization of Nanotherapeutics Delivery to Tumors Dr. Anne van de Ven of The Methodist Hospital and Research Institute PS-OC presents her work on how imaging techniques can be used to help researchers design nanoparticles to optimize the delivery of cancer therapeutics to tumors. Video courtesy of The Methodist Hospital and Research Institute PS-OC. Watch Here
The Fluid Phase of Solid Tumors: How does cancer spread? Dr. Peter Kuhn of The Scripps Research Institute PS-OC presents his research on how cancer cells in the blood can shed light on the spread of cancer during metastasis and potentially be used to provide patients and clinicians with diagnostic and prognostic information. Video courtesy of Arizona State University PS-OC. Watch Here
Dr. Jacob Scott on "Can we stop the imaginectomies?" Dr. Jacob Scott, of the H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center PS-OC, discusses how new perspectives and creativity is needed to help researchers find new connections to better understand and treat cancer. Watch Here
Could physics provide the key to cancer? Paul Davies and Roger Johnson from the Arizona State University discuss the insights and perspectives that physicists bring to cancer research with the BBC science reporter Tom Feilden. Listen Here
PS-ON Bioresource Core Facility (PBCF) The PBCF provides the Network with common stocks of an authenticated set of non-malignant and cancerous cell lines, cell culture reagents, and related standard operating protocols. Investigators outside of the Network who agree to actively participate in data sharing and integration efforts can become part of the PS-OC Network and gain access to this resource. Learn More
Funding Opportunites A collection of funding opportunities at the intersection of physical sciences and cancer research from the NIH, NSF, and other funding organizations. Check regularly for new updates. Learn More
Jobs For job opportunities in physical sciences-oncology visit the Synapse job board and the Physical Sciences in Oncology Linked In Group jobs page. Also follow @NCIPhySci on Twitter for related announcements.
Reports Contributions from outside the field of cancer biology are the cornerstone of the Physical Sciences in Oncology initiative. Learn more about the latest ideas from thought leaders from the fields of cancer biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, modeling, engineering, and nanotechnology. Learn More