Dr. Chung is studying the role of a process called phagocytosis, or engulfment, in eliminating unwanted cells—including tumor cells. Certain cell types in the nervous system, astrocytes and microglia, are involved in this process.  In glioma brain cancers, the ability of glial cells to phagocytose tumor cells is turned off.  Strategies that could switch these cells back to an anti-tumor status may be extremely useful in developing alternative therapies for cancer.

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Project Title: "Heterogeneity of astrocytes in their origins and regenerative potentials"

Institution: Stanford University

Sponsor(s) / Mentor(s): Ben A. Barres, MD, PhD

Cancer Type: Neuro-oncology

Research Area: Neuroscience