Establishment and characterization of a 3D tissue-specific platform for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma cells

Abstract

3D models that faithfully mimic in vivo tumor biology and improve our understanding of therapeutic responses are challenging but urgent to improve target discovery for PDAC. Cell culture models using tissue-specific ECM components have the ability to maintain transcriptional profiles, cancer stem cell (CSC) properties, and tumorigenicity. In this plan of activity, an undergraduate student (SI), will establish 3D tissue-specific environments for PDAC cells, in order to further evaluate the most potent small-molecule inhibitors selected in the scientific and technical challenge 1 and the effects of therapeutic target inhibition in PDAC. Initially, the student will be properly trained to perform all the steps during cell culture using 2D and 3D models. The student will be able to perform cell culture of PDAC cell lines, evaluating morphology, and viability of cells. Finally, the student will establish and characterize optimal conditions to culture PDAC spheroids in a hydrogel system containing tissue-specific extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins mimicking a microenvironment for PDAC. This project will be essential to establish a cell culture model able to recapitulate cancer biology and to evaluate the effects of modulation of promising therapeutic targets in PDAC.