Cell News 3
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techniques for the unearthing of cell migration properties.
Techniques such as 3D traction force microscopy - the evalu-
ation of the 3D field of exerted force by the cell - reveal that
complex, multifaceted biophysical signatures given by cells can
be correlated to their ability to move in a complex environ-
ment. Later in the session, Karolinska Institute researcher
Christine-Maria Horejs once again deviated from cancer into
the highly related area of fibrosis-derived disorders, discussing
her recent work on how the creation of a synthetic basement
membrane can help to control the so-called epithelial to mes-
enchymal transition (EMT). Specifically, the functionalization
of electrospun synthetic membranes with fragments of the ex-
tracellular matrix (ECM) protein laminin succeeded in downre-
gulating EMT pathways in in vivo models of peritoneal fibrosis,
as shown by the lowered motility and suppressed expression
of pro-EMT enzymes known as matrix metalloproteases. The
second morning session continued on the topic, and featured
a presentation by University of Leipzig scientist Mareike Zink,
who described recent work on a nanostructured scaffold
holding potential translational value for long-term cultu-
ring and observation of whole tissues. Titanium Oxide (TiO2)
nanotube scaffolds were shown to form topologically textured
substrates, which could be functionalized to be suitable for the
adhesion of various sorts of cells. Due a combination of local
mechanics, topology and surface adhesion of cells, it was shown
that cells and tissues could be cultured for up to several weeks.
The focus for the penultimate session was on Micro Tools
in Cancer Research, and featured a number of talks ranging
from advanced instrumentation to the fabrication of cus-
tom nanoparticles to analyze and combat cancer. Prominent
nano-biophysicist Friedrich Simmel, professor at the Technical
University of Munich, began the session by giving an overview
and research highlights from his own group on the use of
DNA-based self-assembly techniques for the construction of
highly precise nanoparticles. This was immediately followed by
conference founder Josef Käs, who gave an energetic overview
of his group's work in innovative cancer research, also giving
an important overall context to the general Physics of Can-
cer field. He particularly highlighted the role of relative cell
adhesion in the structural definition of tumors, as well as the
potential role that glass-like cellular "jamming" could play in
metastasis. Later in the same session, Dr. Michael Szardenings
from the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunolo-
gy, one of the foremost experts in the phage display technique,
gave a brief introduction to the innovative technique, followed
by a captivating description of how it can be used to develop
tiny peptide sequences that can accurately target specific
types of tumors in vivo.
The final session continued many of the themes from the
previous, however narrowed the focus to Programming Nano-
materials against Cancer. The opening talk was presen-
ted by Karolinska researcher Ana Texeira, who described her
recent work in developing a novel nano-scale tool - terms
nanocalipers - to investigate the role of spatial coupling in
surface receptor activation. Using the so-called DNA origami
technique, dimerized ephrin ligands were placed at distinct
distances on a rigid scaffold, and used to activate the Ephri-
nA2 receptor on cancer cells. Her group's results found that
spatial coupling of EphrinA2 clusters begun occurring when
ligands were placed 50nm or less from each other, indicating
a strong role of proximity-based amplification of this bioche-
mical pathway. The final talk of the conference was delivered
by Dr. Diana Goncalves-Schmidt from the Leibniz Institute for
Polymer Research in Dresden. Her work detailed a simple, yet
elegant way, using peptide-functionalized nanorods, to target,
penetrate and destroy invasive glioblastoma cells.
Summary
In summary, 2016 was yet another successful year for Physics
of Cancer. The meeting remains an exciting meeting of many
of the top minds in this highly interdisciplinary field. As our
understanding of the physical bases underneath many types of
pathologies increases, so does the breadth of the conference.
This was reflected in the speaker list, which included several
new directions such as translational medicine, an increased
emphasis on interaction with nanoscience and cancer, and in-
clusion of talks on fibrosis - a highly complementary disease to
cancer in many physical and biochemical characteristics. The
addition of CSPO as an official partner of PoC not only gives a
boost to the future of the conference, but also gives the overall
field a strong voice for publishing relevant research. Plans for
the 8th edition in 2017 are already underway, and the addi-
tion of a fourth member of the organizing committee - Prof.
Carsten Beta - will continue the evolution of the meeting. In
closing, as we move towards completing the first decade of
Physics of Cancer, the conference remains an important mee-
ting point for top minds in the field.
Acknowledgements
The organizers would like to thank everyone helping to orga-
nize the meeting. Without these helping hands the Physics of
Cancer 2016 symposium would not have been possible.
This international special meeting was supported by the Ger-
man Research Foundation (DFG, KA 1116/ 19-1), the German
Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the DGZ. Additionally, it
was sponsored by Graduate School BuildMoNa, PbF 1: Top level
research areas: Multifunctional materials and processes from
Molecules to Nanodevices, JPK Instruments AG, IOP Publishing,
NanoTemper Technologies GmbH und TA Instruments (Waters)
GmbH.
MEETING REPORT
