| NSF Org: |
OAC Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC) |
| Recipient: |
|
| Initial Amendment Date: | January 17, 2024 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | January 17, 2024 |
| Award Number: | 2340149 |
| Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Juan Li
jjli@nsf.gov (703)292-2625 OAC Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (OAC) CSE Direct For Computer & Info Scie & Enginr |
| Start Date: | September 1, 2024 |
| End Date: | August 31, 2029 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $541,942.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $360,942.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
|
| History of Investigator: |
|
| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
3203 N DOWNER AVE # 273 MILWAUKEE WI US 53211-3188 (414)229-4853 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
|
| Primary Place of Performance: |
3203 N DOWNER AVE MILWAUKEE WI US 53211-3153 |
| Primary Place of Performance Congressional District: |
|
| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
|
| Parent UEI: |
|
| NSF Program(s): | CAREER: FACULTY EARLY CAR DEV |
| Primary Program Source: |
|
| Program Reference Code(s): |
|
| Program Element Code(s): |
|
| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.070 |
ABSTRACT
This project is developing virtual tumor tissues to address the shortcomings of in-vitro models and reduce the reliance on animal models by replicating human tissue. These virtual tissues are applied to enhance the understanding of tumor malignancy and mechanisms involved that increase the accuracy of early diagnosis and treatment decision-making for the most prevalent type of pancreatic tumor, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The method to develop a virtual PDAC is personalize-able to represent a specific human tissue and generalizable to generate other tissues that can be used to elucidate mechanisms involved in the progression of other diseases such as atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, healing of chronic wounds and bones, and spreading of viruses and immune cells. This project provides early exposure to STEM for undergraduate students, to learn about and apply advanced computing in biomedical engineering. Furthermore, this project supports early research opportunities from sophomore year onward to prepare them for graduate study. This project will enhance a diverse workforce by mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and incorporating advanced computing into the undergraduate curriculum.
In this CAREER project, a patient-specific image-based in-silico modeling is developed and applied to replicate the virtual physiology of human tumor tissue. The developed virtual tumor tissues generate a fundamental understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the tumor?s malignancy, composition, and characteristics that alter the tumor?s malignancy. Furthermore, the model development of this proposal yields a state-of-the-art platform to replicate the complexity and heterogeneity of tumor tissue as observed in humans. Massively parallel codes accomplish the in-silico modeling to overcome memory capacity limitations and reduce time-to-solution. The in-silico models of human tissue are vital for envisioned disease progression screening, mechanistic studies, pre-clinical trials, and a safe environment for new treatment evaluations.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.
