GOVERNMENT

With high human mortality associated with cancerous tumors, there is a worldwide need for a better understanding of why a tumor starts to grow and what makes it continue to grow. Mathematical modeling can provide some of the answers.

The National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS) is now accepting applications for its Investigative Workshop: Solid Tumor Modeling to be held Jan. 19-21, 2011, at NIMBioS on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, campus. The principal aim of the workshop is to discuss current achievements and challenges in modeling solid tumors in the human body and to identify areas in modeling, supercomputing, laboratory experimentation, and clinical diagnosis that should be pursued to improve the understanding of tumor development and ultimately treatment.

The focus will be on modeling tumor level cancer progression. However, all systems that influence growth will be open for discussion, including ongoing genetic mutation and genetic feedback, stem cells, angiogenesis and vascular dynamics, lymph system interaction, metastasis, mechanical properties of and interaction with host tissue, and immune system response. Topics of discussion may include hybrid and multi-scale modeling, multiphase modeling, parameter estimation and relevant experimental and clinical data collection, and high-performance computing and visualization.

The workshop is organized by Vittorio Cristini (Univ. of Texas, Houston); John Lowengrub (Univ. of California, Irvine); Kasia Rejniak (Moffitt Cancer Center); and Steven M. Wise (Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville).