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About This Simulation
Investigate the connection between blood vessel growth and cancer development. Use this knowledge to help the pharma company in their quest to uncover promising drug candidates to treat breast cancer patients.
Learning Objectives
- Explain the principles and importance of intracellular signal transduction
- Explain receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) cell signaling
- Analyze dysregulated signal transduction in human cancer cells
- Understand the connection between angiogenesis and tumor growth
- Investigate the involvement of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) signaling in human breast cancer
About This Simulation
Lab Techniques
- Western blotting
- Inhibitor treatment
- Histology
- Cell culture
Related Standards
- No direct alignment
- Supports Biology Unit 3: Cellular energetics
- No direct alignment
Learn More About This Simulation
This shorter, targeted simulation is adapted from the full-length “Signal Transduction” simulation.
How do tumors promote their growth in the human body? In this simulation, you will learn how tumor cells send signals to surrounding cells to help promote tumor growth, and how this signal is transmitted inside the cell. You will help a big pharma company uncover the most effective inhibitor to cancerous cell growth and therefore, a promising new drug candidate to treat breast cancer patients.
Analyze patient samples by western blotting
As a researcher in the R&D department of a big pharma company, your mission will be to test the hypothesis that increased blood vessel growth, also called angiogenesis, plays a role in breast cancer development. To investigate this idea, you will interpret the results of a western blot experiment to test for the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) expression in patient samples compared to healthy tissue samples.
Learn about VEGFR signal transduction
Following the interpretation of initial results, you will learn more about how VEGFR, a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) transmits an external signal to the inside of the cell, and how this influences angiogenesis. You will be able to follow the process in a 3D animation.
Develop a strategy for breast cancer therapy
Finally, your mission is to test different inhibitors targeting VEGFR signaling. You will design an experimental approach to test for the activity of this specific class of RTKs. Report back to the company with your key findings! Will you be able to identify a promising new drug candidate for treating patients with breast cancer?
Experience Labster for Yourself
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Easily bolster your learning objectives with relevant, interactive content
Practice a lab procedure or visualize theory through narrative-driven scenarios
For Science Programs Providing a Learning Advantage
North Dakota State College of Science
“They did the simulation at home, then completed the in-person lab within 30 minutes, no questions asked, and passed the quiz with flying colors.”
Lecturer in Human Physiology
University of Westminster
"I saw some of the students who clearly didn’t necessarily like sitting there reading a book discover they could turn on Labster and keep up with the rest of the class because it spoke to them.
Modesto City Schools
"Having something that's engaging for the students gives teachers that opportunity to breathe and get excited again. Because they're seeing the kids light up, they're seeing the kids engage with content."
Wenatchee Valley College
"The question always is, ‘Can we demonstrate that the students are meeting course outcomes?’ Check! We can do that.”
San José State University
"We surveyed over 400 students. More than 90% thought Labster was easy to navigate, and that it was fun, but more importantly, most of them felt confident that they could execute the labs in person. And that confidence is a big deal."
FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions.
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Labster is hosted online, which means that students only have to login from their internet browsers once an account is created.
Labster is only available for purchase by faculty and administration at academic institutions. To procure Labster, simply reach out to us on our website. Schedule a demo, book a meeting to discuss pricing, start a free trial, or simply fill out our contact form.
Labster simulations are created by real scientists and designed with unparalleled interactivity. Unlike point and click competitors, Labster simulations immerse students and encourage mastery through active learning.
Labster supports a wide range of courses at the high school and university level across fields in biology, chemistry and physics. Some simulations mimic lab procedures with high fidelity to train foundational skills, while others are meant to bring theory to life through interactive scenarios.