Dr. Inhee Chung

George Washington School of Medicine
and Health Sciences

Friday, December 1, 2023
12:00 Noon
Room 120 – Meyerhoff Chemistry Building
Host: Dr. Minji Kyoung

“Decoding the Biomechanics of the Invasive Progression of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ”

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) represents a form of non-invasive breast cancer, yet it poses a significant challenge in predicting which cases will progress to invasive disease. We explore the biomechanical pathways that enable specific subgroups of DCIS cells to respond to mechanical stimuli in their microenvironment, thereby promoting invasive transition. Utilizing cutting-edge techniques, such as our home-built Multi-Angle-Crossing Structured Illumination Microscope (MAxSIM) and 2D/3D Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM), coupled with mechanical assays including nanoindentation, we aim to unravel the complexity of these mechanosensory processes. By identifying pivotal effector molecules and their subcellular localization, our research aspires to advance the understanding of invasive progression in DCIS. Furthermore, we are in the process of developing a prototype deep learning model designed to serve as a biomarker, offering both prognostic and diagnostic insights into DCIS cells associated with a high risk.