An integrated approach to quantitative modelling in angiogenesis research.
Angiogenesis, the process by which new vessels form from existing ones, plays an important role in many developmental processes and pathological conditions. We study angiogenesis in the context of a highly controllable experimental environment: the cornea micropocket assay. Using a multidisciplinary approach that combines experiments, image processing and analysis, and mathematical modelling, we aim to provide mechanistic insight into the action of two angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). We use image analysis techniques to extract quantitative data, which are both spatially and temporally resolved, from experimental images, and we develop a mathematical model, in which the corneal vasculature evolves in response to both VEGF-A and bFGF. The experimental data are used for model parametrization, while the mathematical model is used to assess the utility of the cornea micropocket assay and to characterize proposed synergies between VEGF-A and bFGF.
Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6GG, UK Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QD, UK anthony.connor@keble.ox.ac.uk.
Anthony J
0000-0001-5929-5550
AJ
Connor
Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QD, UK.
Radosław P
RP
Nowak
Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Oncology DTA, Roche Innovation Center Penzberg, 82377 Penzberg, Germany.
Erica
E
Lorenzon
Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Discovery Ophthalmology, Roche Innovation Center Basel, 4070 Basel, Switzerland.
Markus
M
Thomas
Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Oncology DTA, Roche Innovation Center Penzberg, 82377 Penzberg, Germany.
Frank
F
Herting
Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Oncology DTA, Roche Innovation Center Penzberg, 82377 Penzberg, Germany.
Stefan
S
Hoert
Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, pRED Informatics, Roche Innovation Center Penzberg, 82377 Penzberg, Germany.
Tom
T
Quaiser
Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, 4070 Basel, Switzerland.
Eliezer
E
Shochat
Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QD, UK.
Joe
J
Pitt-Francis
Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QD, UK.
Jonathan
0000-0001-6009-3542
J
Cooper
Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6GG, UK.
Philip K
PK
Maini
Wolfson Centre for Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6GG, UK Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QD, UK.
Helen M
HM
Byrne
D000818:Animals; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C467480:vascular endothelial growth factor A, mouse; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
angiogenesis; basic fibroblast growth factor; cornea; image analysis; partial differential equation; vascular endothelial growth factor A