ACEA Supports Young Cancer Researchers with the iCELLigence Innovative Research Grant
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) February 22, 2014 -- To further support cancer research progression, ACEA has installed their RTCA-iCELLigence systems in the laboratories of two young cancer researchers: Dr. Melissa L. Fishel, Assistant Professor at Indiana University (USA) and Dr. Isabelle Plante, and Assistant Professor at INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier (Canada). ACEA’s Innovative Research Grant is awarded every 6 months with free access to the iCELLigence technology, consumables and training.
Dr. Melissa L. Fishel is awarded for her grant proposal to investigate the effects of the microenvironment on the tumor using a pancreatic cancer model system. The overall objective of her project is to determine the biological effects of modulating cells that make up the tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer i.e. cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and dorsal root ganglia (DRGs). The 2-chamber co-culture device in conjunction with the RTCA-iCELLigence System will allow Fishel to interrogate CAFs and DRGs on tumor proliferation in real time. Upon receiving this award, Fishel commented, “That is fantastic news! I am so excited to get this project going! The results from this project will guide us to novel approaches that target the tumor microenvironment in addition to signaling pathways within the tumor, and may offer the most promise against this dreaded disease.”
Dr. Isabelle Plante was awarded for her grant proposal to determine the role of myoepithelial cells (MECs) in breast cancer progression. The mammary gland epithelium is composed of two layers of cells: an inner layer of luminal cells surrounded by an outer layer of MECs. It also encompasses stem cell populations. While it is generally recognized that most tumors arise from luminal or stem cells, the role of MECs in breast cancer is poorly understood. Dr. Plante is really pleased to learn that her project was chosen to receive this grant, “Our goal is to understand whether MECs can acquire tumorigenic characteristics or act as a barrier inhibiting luminal cancer cells progression. This is great news! Using the Real-Time Cell Analysis technology, we have designed experiments that will give us the first insights on those two hypotheses. In addition, we are confident that data obtained with the help of this grant will allow us to be successful when applying for a larger grant in the future.”
About the ACEA Innovative Research Grant
ACEA’s Innovative Research Grant is aimed at assisting early career scientists to achieve their research goals by providing them free access to RTCA technology. This annual international research grant provides the scientist an iCELLigence System, consumables, and consultation for up to 6 months. The next deadline for application is August 31, 2014. For more information about the grant, please visit http://www.aceabio.com/grant or write to grant(at)aceabio(dot)com.
About ACEA Biosciences
Founded in 2002, ACEA Biosciences, Inc. (ACEA) is a privately held biotechnology company pioneering in the development and commercialization of high-performance microelectronic systems for cell-based assays. With headquarters in San Diego, CA, ACEA has developed proprietary real-time, label-free cell-based assay technology and launched its first product in 2004. Today, the company has a product line of 6 instruments which utilize this technology with different functionalities and throughputs. They enable different types of cellular-based assay applications. ACEA continuously developing new technology. The systems are commercialized globally under the xCELLigence® brand with over 1,000 instrument placements worldwide and over 500 peer-reviewed publications. This technology is being utilized in academic labs, government institutions, biotech and pharmaceutical companies across the world in diverse fields such as cancer, regenerative medicine, inflammation, infectious diseases, and toxicity research. For more information, http://www.aceabio.com.
For further information please contact:
ACEA Biosciences, Inc.
Dr. Leyna Zhao
Phone: +1 858 724 0928 x 3066
Email: lzhao(at)aceabio(dot)com
Amy de Leon, ACEA Biosciences, Inc., http://www.aceabio.com, +1 8587240928 Ext: 3090, [email protected]
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