WP2

Objectives:

1. Establish standardized human monocyte-derived macrophage generation and functionality testing protocols including ECM and tumour cell interactions
2. Test impact of aging in the established protocols and compare with organ-specific macrophages
3. Determine interactions of age-specific macrophages with tumour cells at functional and molecular level to identify age-specific targets.

Expected Results: Human monocytes from older (> 60 years) and younger (< 30 years) blood donors will be differentiated to macrophages under conditions suitable for OoC models and functional assays will be established to interrogate tumour cell and matrix interaction initially in 2D. Functional and molecular parameters affected by ageing will be determined.