The Oncological Sciences Center brings together life scientists, engineers and experts in communication and human behavior to attack the cancer problem. The OSC is dedicated to finding solutions to the problems we now face in prevention, treatment and the key issue of early detection. Each of the four thrust areas ultimately merge into a synergistic effort. The Cancer Nanotechnology and Diagnostics and Therapeutics Devices thrusts emphasize the efforts of engineers and their collaborators to build nano- and micro-scale devices integrated with bio-compatible materials for biomedical applications while investigators in the Cancer Prevention thrust area will discover biomarkers whose detection will ultimately be facilitated by the availability of a new generation of high sensitivity, high selectivity detection systems. Ultimately we expect the concerted efforts in device developments and cancer markers identification and validation to significantly accelerate advances in drug and diagnostic development. In concert with the medicinal chemists and chemical biologist currently pursuing cancer therapy leads, the potential for assembling major synergistic teams capable of seriously addressing the OSC goal of eliminating cancer as a cause of suffering and death is real.
Cancer Care Engineering applies systems engineering principles and unique data visualization and statistical model building to the broad spectrum of cancer prevention, treatment, and care delivery. The core of the project is based on visualizing cancer, from the development of the disease to the delivery of care, as a system that can be mathematically described and modeled using principles of systems engineering and novel statistical analyses.
TThe Oncological Sciences Center specifically fosters interdisciplinary teams of engineers and scientist to develop novel diagnostics and therapeutic devices. This program leverages the expertise of our members in Nanotechnology, Engineering, and Cancer Biology. Purdue University has excellent facilities and resources provided by the Birck Nanotechnology Center, Bindley Bioscience Center, and translational partners at the Indiana University School of Medicine.
The Cancer Prevention and Control Program of the OSC provides a unique environment to develop strategies for 1) prevention of cancers by dietary (nutrient and botanical components); 2) early detection technologies (biomarkers and imaging); 3) identification of risk factors; 4) behavior modification to reduce risk to both prevent and control cancers; 5) social and ethical communication in the context of cancer and risk identification and 6) application of knowledge in healthcare settings.
The Cancer Research Clinical Partnership program was established to foster collaborations between local medical oncologists and other physicians with members of the OSC. The goal is to provide clinical input early in cancer research to positively impact translation to the clinical setting.
The mission of the Oncological Sciences Center is to seek new opportunites, forge new partnerships, and nurture new relationships to advance cancer research beyond the laboratory.
Oncological Sciences Center
Gerald D. and Edna E. Mann Hall
203 S. Martin Jischke Drive, Rm 154
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-1971
