The Lymphatic System in Disease Processes and Cancer Progression
Event details
| Date | 28.04.2016 |
| Hour | 16:15 |
| Speaker | Prof. Timothy P. Padera, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (USA) |
| Location | |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
joint CANCER & BIOENGINEERING SEMINAR
Abstract:
(Background)
My laboratory uses novel intravital microscopy tools to examine how the lymphatic system can drive the progression of cancer both through metastatic spread and impairment in anti-tumor immune function. In addition, we study the molecular control of lymphatic pumping and how pumping becomes dysfunctional in variety of disease settings including inflammation, lymphedema and bacterial infection. Using our recently developed methods to longitudinally image lymph nodes in vivo, we will discuss our results showing that lymph node metastasis do not require the formation of new blood vessels in order to grow. Additionally, using our recently developed optical method to measure lymph flow without requiring injected contrast, we will discuss the relationship between lymphatic pumping, lymph flow and intraluminal valve opening in collecting lymphatic vessels under normal and pathological conditions. By understanding the molecular control of these processes, the first drugs targeting lymphatic function can be developed to help in the treatment of multiple diseases.
Bio:
Dr. Padera earned Bachelor of Science degrees in both Chemical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University in 1997. He then received his PhD from MIT in 2003 in Medical Engineering from the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology under the supervision of Rakesh K. Jain. He is currently Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts General Hospital as well as a Member of the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology Faculty. Dr. Padera is recognized as a leader in the field of intravital functional lymphatic imaging, particularly with respect to tumor growth, lymphatic metastasis and lymphatic vessel pumping. Since December 2015 he is Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA (USA).
Abstract:
(Background)
My laboratory uses novel intravital microscopy tools to examine how the lymphatic system can drive the progression of cancer both through metastatic spread and impairment in anti-tumor immune function. In addition, we study the molecular control of lymphatic pumping and how pumping becomes dysfunctional in variety of disease settings including inflammation, lymphedema and bacterial infection. Using our recently developed methods to longitudinally image lymph nodes in vivo, we will discuss our results showing that lymph node metastasis do not require the formation of new blood vessels in order to grow. Additionally, using our recently developed optical method to measure lymph flow without requiring injected contrast, we will discuss the relationship between lymphatic pumping, lymph flow and intraluminal valve opening in collecting lymphatic vessels under normal and pathological conditions. By understanding the molecular control of these processes, the first drugs targeting lymphatic function can be developed to help in the treatment of multiple diseases.
Bio:
Dr. Padera earned Bachelor of Science degrees in both Chemical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University in 1997. He then received his PhD from MIT in 2003 in Medical Engineering from the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology under the supervision of Rakesh K. Jain. He is currently Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts General Hospital as well as a Member of the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology Faculty. Dr. Padera is recognized as a leader in the field of intravital functional lymphatic imaging, particularly with respect to tumor growth, lymphatic metastasis and lymphatic vessel pumping. Since December 2015 he is Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA (USA).
Practical information
- Informed public
- Free