My background is in biomedical engineering with a focus on computational models for biological applications. For my thesis research, I adapted a multiscale numerical simulation, termed the Multiparticle Adhesive Dynamics (MAD) simulation, towards the analysis of the initial behavior of circulating tumor cell aggregates interacting with activated endothelium. This interaction is a critical step for the formation of distant metastases. During my research, I generated model aggregates of 2-4 cells in simple conformations based on the morphology of colorectal cancer cell line samples. These aggregates were applied to a series of hydrodynamic and adhesive simulations in the presence of a plane wall modeled after endothelial cells expressing E-selectin, a cell adhesion molecule involved with leukocyte adhesion to inflammatory tissues. Simulations consisting of the hydrodynamic component of the MAD simulation analyzed the effects of model aggregate confirmation and orientation on adhesive binding potential. Larger aggregate conformations with intermediate nonsphericities had the highest adhesion potential. Adhesive interactions were also evaluated, and model aggregates exhibited rolling and transient adhesive interactions under physiological conditions. The distribution of adhesive interactions observed was dependent on aggregate size. The results of these simulations established this adaptation of the MAD simulation as a method to evaluate metastatic efficiency.

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