2. Calcium-adhesion interactions in cancer

Aberrant calcium signaling is critical in cancer development, but how calcium regulates cancer cell migration has remained elusive, with contradictory reports showing that calcium may help or stop tumor progression in different cancers. Our recent explorations indicated the fact that calcium enhanced cell-matrix adhesion might be beneficial or detrimental to cancer cell migration depending on its basal adhesion status. We are currently investigating its molecular mechanism by monitoring focal adhesion (FA) dynamics in high-resolution live-cell imaging. Our ultimate goal is to develop personalized anti-cancer treatment based on basal calcium signaling and adhesion strength of the tumor cells.