Martin Matzuk, MD, PhD
Baylor College of Medicine
2013 Challenge Grant Award Recipient
Molecular Imaging of the Dicer/Pten Mouse Model Tumor Microenvironment
Dr. Matzuk’s project will use Dicer-Pten mutant mice, which closely model human high-grade serous carcinoma with tumors arising in the fallopian tubes. A state-of-the-art tissue-based mass spectrometry imaging platform will provide the approach for the in-depth examination of early tumor microenvironment, where tumor cells engage in complex interactions with surrounding non-tumor cells that can both aid and prevent tumor cells from growing and spreading. This project will carefully parse out the spatial distribution of proteins and metabolites during the formation and progression of the earliest ovarian tumors. This knowledge will help identify better treatment alternatives and biomarkers for early detection which will lead to reduced ovarian cancer mortality.