Physical Sciences – Oncology Network (PS-ON)
The Physical Sciences – Oncology Network (PS-ON) brings together cancer biologists and oncologists with scientists from the fields of physics, mathematics, chemistry, and engineering to address some of the major questions and barriers in cancer research.
The goal of the network is to foster the convergence of physical sciences approaches and perspectives with cancer research to advance our understanding of oncology through transdisciplinary team science.
Impact of Physical Sciences in Oncology Research
Since 2009, PS-ON has supported physical sciences in oncology research addressing complex and challenging questions in cancer research from a physical sciences perspective.
Highlights of research advances from this NCI program include:
- Determined mechanisms behind the generation of mutations in cancer genomes based on 3-D architecture and polymer physics
- Optimization of dosing strategies for lung and brain cancer treatment using computational physics and evolutionary theory
- Progress in understanding the role of mechanics in tumor progression and metastasis using physical parameters
- Determined the 3-D structure of protein complexes responsible for regulating gene expression in cancer using computational approaches
Additionally, PS-ON workshops identified opportunities and challenges in tissue engineering for cancer research, which guided the development of the Cancer Tissue Engineering Collaborative (TEC).
PS-ON Funding Opportunities
- PAR-22-147: Research Projects in Physical Sciences-Oncology (U01 Clinical Trial Optional
- NOT-CA-23-030: Adaptive Biomaterials for Cancer Biology (Notice of Special Interest)
PS-ON News
Three new research projects are joining the Physical Sciences – Oncology Network!
Drs. Jacob Scott and Andriy Marusk are extending experimental evolutionary game theory in cancer and integrating spatio-temporal dynamics using mathematical modeling to enable clinical transition.
Drs. Ankur Singh and Cheng Zhu are investigating how mutations affect epigenetic states and dysregulate B cell mechanobiology, leading to the development of lymphomas. They are also preclinically testing the efficacy of epigenetic-targeted treatments for cancers of the lymphatic system.
Using an integrated experimental – mathematical oncology approach, Drs. Bryan Spring and Heiko Enderling are investigating strategies to harness low-dose immunostimulation in ovarian cancer related to fractionated photoimmunotherapy.
PS-ON Resources for Researchers
The Cancer Complexity Knowledge Portal contains the latest available resources generated through the PS-ON. Information in the database includes:
- Grants
- Investigators
- Publications
- Datasets
- Tools
PS-ON Patient Advocacy
Research advocates play an important role in the network, and have been important members of the program since it started.
PS-ON currently supports research advocacy efforts that intersect with Junior Investigators to Early-Stage Investigators. PS-ON highly encourages the participation and support of cancer research advocates with physical sciences - oncology research project activities, including advocacy efforts that intersect with Junior Investigators to Early-Stage Investigators.
Additional information about cancer research advocacy at NCI can be found at the NCI Office of Advocacy Relations website.
PS-ON Social Media
PS-ON research and funding opportunities are shared on Twitter: @NCIPhySci
Contact for PS-ON
For additional information about PS-ON, please contact Dr. Eric Johnson Chavarria or the Physical Sciences in Oncology Team.
Funded Projects
Physical Sciences – Oncology Projects (PS-OPs)
Multi-Consortia Coordinating Center (MC2 Center)
Institution | Principal Investigator(s) | Project Title |
---|---|---|
Sage Bionetworks | Julie A. Bletz, James A. Eddy | Multi-Consortia Coordinating Center (MC2 Center) for Cancer Biology: Building Interdisciplinary Scientific Communities, Coordinating Impactful Resource Sharing, and Advancing Cancer Research |
Past Projects
Physical Sciences – Oncology Centers (PS-OCs)
Institution | Principal Investigator(s) | Project Title |
---|---|---|
Columbia University | Raul Rabadan, Antonio Iavarone | Topology of Cancer Evolution and Heterogeneity |
Cornell University | Claudia Fischbach-Teschl, Lewis C. Cantley | Center on the Physics of Cancer Metabolism |
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | Franziska Michor, Eric. C. Holland | Evolution and Treatment Response of Brain, Breast, and Hematologic Malignancies |
Houston Methodist Research Institute | Haifa Shen, Jenny C-N Chang | Center for Immunotherapeutic Transport Oncophysics |
Johns Hopkins University | Denis Wirtz, Kenneth J. Pienta | The Johns Hopkins Physical Sciences Oncology Center |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Forest M. White, Jann N. Sarkaria | MIT/Mayo Physical Sciences Center for Drug Distribution and Efficacy in Brain Tumors |
Moffitt Cancer Center | Robert A. Gatenby, Alexander R.A. Anderson, Robert J. Gillies | Cancer as a Complex Adaptive System |
Northwestern University | Thomas V. O’Halloran, Jonathan D. Licht | Spatio-Temporal Organization of Chromatin and Information Transfer in Cancer |
University of Minnesota | David J. Odde, David A. Largaespada, Steven S. Rosenfeld | Center for Modeling Tumor Cell Migration Mechanics |
University of Pennsylvania | Dennis E. Discher | Liver Cancer: Pre-Malignant Stiffening, Membrane Transduction, & Nuclear Rheology |
Physical Sciences – Oncology Projects (PS-OPs)
Institution | Principal Investigator(s) | Project Title |
---|---|---|
Georgia Institute of Technology | Cheng Zhu, Michelle Krogsgaard | Mechanisms of impaired T-cell mechanosensing of melanoma antigens |
Harvard School of Public Health | Jeffrey Fredberg | Epithelial layer jamming in breast cancer cell migration |
Institute for Systems Biology | James R. Heath, Wei Wei | Steady states and cellular transitions associated with carcinogenesis and tumor progression |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Roger D. Kamm | Quantitative analyses of tumor cell extravasation |
University of California, Berkeley | Jay T. Groves, Valerie M. Weaver | ECM geometrical and mechanical properties modulate RTK signaling |
University of Utah | Orly Alter | Multi-Tensor decompositions for personalized cancer diagnostics and prognostics |
Vanderbilt University | Lisa J. McCawley, Dmitry Markov, Katarzyna A. Rejniak | Physical dynamics of cancer response to chemotherapy in 3D microenvironments |
PS-ON Coordinating Center
Institution | Principal Investigator(s) | Project Title |
---|---|---|
Sage Bionetworks | Justin Guinney | Coordination Center for Open Collaboration in Systems Biology |