Dr. Ankur Deep Bordoloi

Metastasis is one of the most challenging attributes of cancer, accounting for a staggering 90% of cancer-related deaths. It is a complex multistep process by which cancer cells detach from a primary tumor and enter into the bloodstream, then migrate through the vascular system as single or cluster of cells, known as circulating tumor cells (CTC), and finally colonize a secondary organ. Although a primary tumor cell releases up to 3-4 million cells/gram every day, fewer than only 0.01% manage metastasize.  Despite a significant progress made in the cancer biology, what makes these few cells to cause metastasis bypassing the complex vascular network remains unknown. 

In this research, I will collaborate with my primary host institute (Pouyan Boukany, Chemical Engineering, TU Delft) and secondary support institute (Amin Doostmohammadi, Neils Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen) to study the migration of cancer cells in a model in-vitro system mimicking the vascular network. This research will bring together interdisciplinary action including fluid mechanics, biomechanics of cellular interactions, various biochemical reactions and the state-of-the-art microfluidic technology. The outcome of this research will enhance our understanding of the complex metastasis process, and help improving future prevention measures.