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The Tumor MicroEnvironment for Metastasis (TMEM) is a critical determinant which will presage the evolution of
primary tumors and the resulting metastatic dynamics. Primary tumor cells up and down regulate certain genes which
increase motility and cause a disregard for positional information. We report on the development of a new tool for the
documentation of cancer cell migration (initial targets: the rat mammary adenocarcinoma cell lines MTLn3 with an over
expression of Mena+++). This tool, the NANo IntraVital Device (NANIVID), is a multi-functional nanosystem
composed of a chemoattractant source (hydrogel-EGF), capsule (cell trap), counter (transparent, interdigitated electrode
arrays for sensing cell arrival), and remote reporter (readout electronics). The device will be retrieved from the tumor
site and the cells will be expelled for subsequent assay. The NANIVID will be used in conjunction with the current
catheter-based approach in which a needle is loaded with a chemoattractant source and injected into the tumor. A major
drawback in the catheter approach is the short cell collection time and lack of real time registering and reporting of cell
arrival. This paper will present the current status of the NANIVID prototypes developed in which a transparent
implantable device is loaded with chemoattractant source and placed near candidate mammary gland tumors in an
established rat model for multiple days or weeks. This series of experiments will allow the comparison of methods and
to benchmark the NANIVID for use in research. Initial results of these experiments and NANIVID design modifications
will be presented.
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