Development of Micro-Scale Assays of Mammary Stem and Progenitor Cells

Abstract

Abstract : The main focus of this work is to study the effects of population demographics in the mammary gland on cancer risk using mathematical means and employ microtechnology for in vitro studies of primary cell characteristics. Specific attention has been paid to developing more quantitative methods for analyzing microfluidic cell cultures using In Channel Westerns. Also understanding how the microfluidic culture platform differs from traditional macro-scale techniques is critical. By thoroughly understanding how this culture platform affects the cellular baseline first better and more efficient data collection can be performed thus requiring fewer primary cells. Preliminary results showing the effectiveness and ease of using In Channel Western protocols for studying protein expression in microfluidic cultures is promising.