Browsing by Author "Can, Ali"

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Article
    Citation - WoS: 1
    Cellular Distribution of Invadopodia Is Regulated by Nanometer Scale Surface Protein Patterns
    (Elsevier Ltd., 2017) Batı Ayaz, Gizem; Can, Ali; Pesen Okvur, Devrim; 04.03. Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics; 04. Faculty of Science; 01. Izmir Institute of Technology
    Invadopodia are proteolytic structures formed by cancer cells. It is not known whether their cellular distribution can be regulated by the organization of the extracellular matrix or the organization of the golgi complex or whether they have an adhesion requirement. Here, we used electron beam lithography to fabricate fibronectin (FN) nanodots with isotropic and gradient micrometer scale spacings on K-casein and laminin backgrounds. Investigating cancer cells cultured on protein nanopatterns, we showed that (i) presence of FN nanodots on a K-casein background decreased percent of cells with neutral invadopodia polarization compared to FN control surfaces; (ii) presence of a gradient of FN nanodots on a K-casein background increased percent of cells with negative invadopodia polarization compared to FN control surfaces; (iii) polarization of the golgi complex was similar to that of invadopodia in agreement with a spatial link; (iv) local adhesion did not necessarily appear to be a prerequisite for invadopodia formation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Master Thesis
    Cellular Mechanosensing at a Distance
    (Izmir Institute of Technology, 2019-07) Can, Ali; Pesen Okvur, Devrim; Özçivici, Engin; 03.01. Department of Bioengineering; 04.03. Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics; 03. Faculty of Engineering; 04. Faculty of Science; 01. Izmir Institute of Technology
    The goal of the project is to determine differences in mechanical sensing at a distance between breast cancer cells and normal mammary epithelial cells. To achieve this goal, we aim to: 1. Optimize the device for mechanical sensing at a distance 2. Determine the effect of mechanical sensing at a distance on cell proliferation 3. Determine the effect of mechanical sensing at a distance on cell migration Breast cancer is one of the cancers with the highest incidence and mortality rates in women in Turkey as well as in the world. Tumor microenvironment comprises of cancer and normal cells, extracellular matrix, soluble biological and chemical factors. Biochemical aspects of the interactions of cancer cells with the constituents of the microenvironment are widely studied whereas biophysical studies are at limited numbers. There is increasing evidence that extracellular matrix can change the mechanics and function of cancer and stroma cells. It has been observed that cancer cells show different responses to soft and stiff tissues they are in direct contact with than normal cells. However, it is not known whether the distance at which cancer cells can feel the stiffness of a distant tissue is longer, the same or shorter than that of normal cells. The hypothesis we will test in this project is as follows: The distance at which cancer cells can feel the stiffness of a distant tissue is shorter than that of normal cells.