ACMD Seminar: Spatial heterogeneity in the tumor microenvironment: The impact of immune cells

Navid Mohammad Mirzaei
Visiting Assistant Professor, Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Friday, February 3, 2023, 3:00-4:00 PM ET (1:00-2:00 PM MT)

A video of this talk will be made available to NIST staff in the Math channel on NISTube, which is accessible from the NIST internal home page. It will be taken down from NISTube after 12 months at which point it can be requested by emailing the ACMD Seminar Chair.

Abstract: The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex network of interactions between cells and molecules that create a heterogeneous ecosystem. The distance of these cells and molecules to their activators or inhibitors plays an important role in the progression of tumors. We have developed a system of Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) coupled with a linear elasticity model to investigate the effects of these spatial interactions on the tumor microenvironment's progression and spatial heterogeneity. We observe two major patterns that most cells and cytokines follow, which are heavily affected by macrophages or substances produced by them. We also see that cytotoxic T-cells are recruited to the site of macrophages and then get suppressed by them. Moreover, we investigate the difference in the tumor microenvironment arrangement in the presence of anti-tumor and pro-tumor macrophages. The results of this paper emphasize the widely acknowledged effect of macrophages in controlling the number of cancer cells and in organizing the arrangement of cells in the tumor microenvironment.

Bio: Navid Mohammad Mirzaei is a biomathematician currently working as a visiting assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He is a member of Shahriyari Lab, where they work on creating data-driven mathematical models of cancer. His work has been supported by NCI and DOE. Navid received his Ph.D. from the University of Delaware in 2020 under the supervision of Dr. Pak-Wing Fok. His thesis title was “Finite Element Simulation of Atherosclerotic Plaque through Morphoelasticity.” He is mainly interested in modeling and simulating biological phenomena, particularly the problems that involve mechanical growth and deformation.

Host: Ryan Evans

Note: This talk will be recorded to provide access to NIST staff and associates who could not be present to the time of the seminar. The recording will be made available in the Math channel on NISTube, which is accessible only on the NIST internal network. This recording could be released to the public through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Do not discuss or visually present any sensitive (CUI/PII/BII) material. Ensure that no inappropriate material or any minors are contained within the background of any recording. (To facilitate this, we request that cameras of attendees are muted except when asking questions.)

Note: Visitors from outside NIST must contact Lochi Orr (301) 975-3800; at least 24 hours in advance.