Making cancer models more realistic with single-cell tumor data
Informing mechanistic rules of agent-based models with single-cell multi-omics
It combines single-cell and spatial tumor maps with computer simulations to better understand how cancer cells and nearby cells interact in patients' tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Trustees of Indiana University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bloomington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172563 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will use detailed single-cell and spatial maps of patients' tumors to identify the different cell types and how they sit next to each other. They will link that information to agent-based computer models that simulate each cell as an individual moving and interacting in a virtual tissue. The project builds software bridges so these models use real genomic and spatial data rather than only theoretical rules. This approach lets researchers run virtual experiments to explore how changing cell interactions might influence tumor growth or treatment response.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with cancer who provide tumor tissue or who are enrolled in studies that collect single-cell or spatial tumor data would be the most directly relevant contributors.
Not a fit: People without tumor samples, those with non-cancer conditions, or patients seeking immediate treatment changes are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help researchers predict how tumors respond to therapies and guide development of more effective, personalized treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Related bioinformatics tools and agent-based models have provided useful insights into tumor biology, but combining single-cell multi-omics with mechanistic simulations is a newer approach that remains in early testing.
Where this research is happening
Bloomington, United States
- Trustees of Indiana University — Bloomington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Macklin, Paul T — Trustees of Indiana University
- Study coordinator: Macklin, Paul T
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.