The Methodist Hospital Research Institute
The Methodist Hospital Research Institute Physical Sciences-Oncology Center evaluates the process of mass transport in cancer to generate novel methods to improve diagnosis and treatment of cancer. This center focuses on hepatic, breast, colorectal, and pancreatic primary cancers as well on liver metastasis of the last three conditions. The investigators show that transport differentials are very important in the ability to efficiently treat malignancies. Mathematics, innovative engineered transport probes and state-of-the-art imaging are integrated to elucidate the transport physics across various physical and biological barriers related to tumorigenesis and drug delivery. Notably, this trans-disciplinary team studies the physical barriers to the evolution of liver metastasis and the administration of novel carriers to surpass these barriers. Genetic signatures which encode to mass transport variables are also being evaluated based on animal models and clinical cases. Ultimately, these studies will provide a clearer grasp of the origin, function and physics of biological barriers, and in turn will accelerate basic discovery and assist in the design for potential therapeutics.
Learn More