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There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
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Andrew Shockey
BME PhD Thesis Proposal Presentation
Date and Time: Thursday, February 23rd, 4pm
Location: MoSE 1201A
Committee: Manu Platt (advisor)
Melissa Kemp
Christine Payne
Eberhard Voit
Shelly Peyton (UMass Amherst)
Title: Mathematical modeling of tumor associated macrophage protease activity in breast cancer
Abstract: Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) promote tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis and can make up 50% of tumor mass in late-stage metastatic breast cancer. TAMs contribute to tumor progression through the release of inflammatory chemokines, growth factors and proteolytic enzymes including the cysteine cathepsins B, L, K, S and V. Cathepsins are potent catalysts of extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, but have also been identified as regulators of cellular process that operate through the activation of signaling pathways and the cleavage of transmembrane receptor proteins, chemokines, and cellular adhesion molecules. Cysteine cathepsins are components of a complicated regulatory proteolytic network, which includes multiple biochemical and biomechanical stimuli, endogenous protease inhibitors and other proteases capable of activating or degrading other proteases. Development of a computational model system of the cathepsin proteolytic network, which includes intracellular feedback loops and extracellular matrix degradation by proteases secreted by tumor cells and macrophages, would expand knowledge on the coordination and complex interactions of macrophages and cancer cells and be a useful tool for developing and testing pharmaceutical cathepsin inhibitors in the future.
