A model brain tumour with blood vessels grown in the lab (IMAGE)
Caption
This image of a mini brain tumour (tumouroid) with blood vessels grown in the lab, was taken by PhD candidate Agavi Stavropoulou-Tatla. Tumouroids can be used to study the interaction between brain tumour (glioblastoma) cells and blood vessel forming (endothelial) cells, offering a robust platform for the development of personalised therapies. Agavi said: "This type of brain tumour, glioblastoma, is able to grow so quickly because it has the power to produce new blood vessels when needed. Moreover, it is highly infiltrative, and this is partially because tumour cells use blood vessels as 'highways' for their migration to different parts of the brain. Thus, this biomimetic model could provide insight into the mechanisms that drive tumour new blood vessel formation and invasion along blood vessels, and serve as a personalised tool for targeted drug testing."
Credit
Agavi Stavropoulou-Tatla
Usage Restrictions
Credit: Agavi Stavropoulou-Tatla
License
Licensed content