Metastases are the main cause of cancer-related deaths. However, predicting the risk of metastasis with the methods available today is often inaccurate, making effective treatment decisions difficult. 

In her venture fellowship project, Soheila Zeinali, a postdoctoral researcher at the ARTORG Centre for Biomedical Engineering Research at the University of Bern, is developing a prediction technology for metastases. This is based on so-called organ-on-chip technology, which aims to replicate complex microenvironments to which cells are exposed in laboratory environments. Using a new generation of in-vitro models, Zeinali creates a personalised microenvironment (microvasculature-on-chip) that makes it possible to analyse the behaviour of tumour cells and predict the risk of metastasis. Based on this information, clinicians should be able to optimise the treatment of patients in the future.