Scientists use "time machine" made by human cells to reverse the progression of pancreatic cancer

Bumsoo Han, professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue University and project leader of Purdue University Cancer Research Center, said: "These discoveries open up the possibility of designing a new gene therapy or drug, because now we can convert cancer cells back to their normal state.

The "time machine" made in Han's laboratory is a realistic replica of the pancreatic structure called the acinus, which produces and secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine

If there is a way to go back in time and reprogram the acinar cells that produce these enzymes, then it is possible to completely reset the pancreas

In the past decade, Stephen Konieczny, an emeritus professor in Purdue University's Department of Biological Sciences, has studied a possible "reset button": a gene called PTF1a

"The PTF1a gene is absolutely essential for normal pancreatic development

Konieczny collaborated with Han's laboratory to take these molecular biology research findings to a new level, testing them in a real time machine model

Researchers usually study possible treatments for pancreatic cancer in animal models, but it may take months for pancreatic cancer in animals

The model developed by Purdue University researchers overcomes the main challenge of accurately capturing the anatomical complexity of the acinus, which is a circular cavity full of cells

"From an engineering point of view, creating such a three-dimensional cavity is not easy

Han's laboratory has already had experience in building a real model of another pancreatic structure, the duct, in which the tumor grows in the acinus

It works like this: This model is a glass platform the size of a postage stamp.

Putting cancerous human cells into the acinar compartment makes the model more realistic

"In this model, not only the cancer cells are reprogrammed, but for the first time we are able to show the normal three-dimensional structure of the acinar, which looks very similar to the structure we see in a healthy pancreas," Konieczny said

Journal Reference :

1. Stephanie M.