Cancer and Physical Sciences

Northwestern University At Chicago, Evanston IL

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

ABSTRACT – CANCER AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES The Cancer and Physical Sciences (CAPS) Program of the Lurie Cancer Center (LCC) is designed to capitalize on the unique strengths of Northwestern University in nanotechnology, bioengineering, and physical sciences that have established it as a national and international leader in the field. The program brings together fundamental chemistry, nanotechnology, imaging, bioelectronics, synthetic biology, and bioengineering groups, to develop cancer-relevant therapeutic and diagnostic agents using nanoscale materials and physical sciences approaches. The resulting synergies have been leveraged by the LCC into the NCI-funded Center for Chromatin Nanoimaging in Cancer (CCNC), the ARPA-H-funded Targeted Hybrid Oncotherapeutic Regulation Consortium, the recently submitted Nanotechnology in Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics SPORE application and other significant and highly impactful multi-investigator programs. Since the last competing renewal, the program has been further strengthened by expanding its capabilities and enhancing the integration of engineering and physical sciences investigators within the field of cancer research, with a dramatic strengthening and acceleration of translational efforts. Vadim Backman, PhD, a bioengineer, is the Program Leader and Gayle Woloschak, PhD, a biochemist, and molecular biologist, is Program Co-Leader. This uniquely interdisciplinary program comprises 37 faculty members from 12 departments and 3 schools. During the current funding cycle there have been 764 cancer-relevant publications from the program members. 22% of these publications represent intra-programmatic collaborations, 22% inter-programmatic collaborations, and 60% represent external collaborative publications. Five hundred and fifty-four (73%) of the publications were in high impact (>10) journals. Current cancer-relevant funding is $15,595,106 (direct) in total peer-reviewed funding, of which $5,611,107 (direct) is from NCI. CAPS serves as a forum to link basic biological investigation with practical applications from the fields of chemistry, physics, engineering, and nanotechnology. CAPS program leaders provide webinars, symposia, and financial awards to stimulate intra- and inter-programmatic collaborations on a broad spectrum of translational projects. CAPS has facilitated the creation of innovative tools for the diagnosis, detection, and treatment of cancer, including new imaging agents, a new technology for early cancer detection, and novel therapeutic modalities. A number of these developments have advanced from basic engineering research to clinical trials and clinical care. CAPS’ future plans are designed to expand, enhance, and accelerate basic science discovery and translation through faculty recruitment, development of new links and bridges and by promoting opportunities for scientific exchange and fostering partnerships with industry.