Contact Info
Department of Applied Mathematics
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada N2L 3G1
Phone: 519-888-4567, ext. 32700
Fax: 519-746-4319
PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader
MC 6496
Moriah Magcalas , Applied Mathematics, University of Waterloo
Mathematical and experimental studies of tumour heterogeneity and plasticity
The goal of this research project is to integrate mathematical modeling and experimental studies to gain a better understanding of cancer cell heterogeneity and plasticity. The modeling aspect will include cellular automata simulations, ODEs, and stochastic approaches; while the experimental studies will consist of cancer cell growth and mammosphere formation assay experiments. To date, we have extended a hierarchy model and a two-compartment model previously developed by Turner and Kohandel, for the so called cancer stem cell hypothesis, to include spatial effects. Available experimental data has been used to estimate the model parameters, and we have performed sensitivity analysis on each of these models to identify the key parameters. We plan to perform our own experimental studies on breast cancer cell lines to collect data that will be used to validate these mathematical models. Then, the validated models will be used to predict tumour growth and its heterogeneous populations in different microenvironmental conditions.
Contact Info
Department of Applied Mathematics
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada N2L 3G1
Phone: 519-888-4567, ext. 32700
Fax: 519-746-4319
PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.