When cancer spreads to the brain, it often establishes hidden reservoirs of dormant tumor cells long before forming detectable metastases. These disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) evade immune clearance in part because the brain\u2019s immune environment is unique\u2014lacking many conventional immune cells and relying instead on specialized brain-resident cells called microglia. Although microglia can detect invading tumor cells, they rarely eliminate them under normal conditions. Dr. Shi Li\u2019s research seeks to understand why these cells remain inactive and how to reawaken their tumor-fighting potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Li has discovered that neighboring support cells in the brain, called astrocytes, send signals that restrain microglial activity against tumor cells. His project will identify these suppressive \u201ccheckpoints\u201d and determine how to overcome them by activating a purinergic signaling pathway\u2014an energy-sensing communication system involving molecules such as ATP. Using advanced tools like intravital imaging, spatial transcriptomics, and genetic manipulation, Dr. Li will define how astrocyte and microglial interactions dictate whether tumor cells are ignored or destroyed. He will also test a novel therapeutic approach using nanoparticles that deliver activation signals directly to the tumor niche, potentially preventing brain metastasis before it takes hold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Li is a neuroimmunologist and imaging scientist whose background spans nanomedicine, molecular imaging, and brain tumor biology. His work bridges cutting-edge imaging with immune mechanism discovery to reveal how the brain\u2019s own cells can be harnessed to fight cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cyrus Ghajar, PhD (Sponsor); Even Newell,, PhD (Co-Sponsor)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Purinergic checkpoints governing microglial clearance of disseminated tumor cells<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When cancer spreads to the brain, it often establishes hidden reservoirs of dormant tumor cells long before forming detectable metastases. These disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) evade immune clearance in part because the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":36833,"template":"","tax_cancer_type":[455],"tax_grant_type":[486],"tax_award_year":[742],"tax_institutions":[534],"tax_location_states":[497],"class_list":["post-36878","cri_scientists","type-cri_scientists","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"scientist_subhead":"CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellow","quote":"","scientist_last_name":"Li","show_on_landing":true,"scientist_publish_until":"20281213"},"yoast_head":"\nProjects and Grants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n