The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $437,038 Project Grant under the Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) to the University of Massachusetts (UMass) to develop a technology for targeted electrical stimulation of endothelial cells lining blood vessels. The objective is to modulate endothelial cell function to enhance drug delivery to tumors and improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients. The 5-year project will study pulsed electric field waveforms that can selectively alter endothelial cell barrier permeability, identify the signaling pathways mediating this response, and test the approach for improving chemotherapy delivery to tumors. The research aims to create novel tools and mechanistic knowledge that can enable new investigations on the role of endothelial cells in various diseases. The project also includes educational and outreach activities to raise awareness among undergraduate and high school students about medical devices that use electricity as a form of therapy.
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