Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly malignant and difficult-to-treat brain tumor, with many patients dying within one year of diagnosis. Significant intra-tumor and inter-patient heterogeneity, as well as the invasive nature of tumor cells into normal brain tissue, pose major challenges for treatment. Here, we introduce the paper "Mathematical
modeling of multicellular tumor spheroids quantifies inter-patient and intra-tumor heterogeneity," published in npj Systems Biology and Applications. This study developed a partial differential equation (PDE) model that integrates microscopy data and mathematical modeling using patient-derived multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS). The model accurately represents the spatial heterogeneity of tumors and quantitatively analyzes diverse growth and invasion patterns across multiple patient cell lines.
Furthermore, this was the first time that model parameters from MCTS experiments have been connected to patient survival. These findings are expected to contribute to clinical prognosis prediction and the development of personalized treatment strategies through individualized tumor behavior modeling. The experiments used PrimeSurface^™ 96U plates to culture 3D spheroids and Matrigel was overlaid for invasion assay.
Microscopic images were used to estimate the spheroid center and cell density distributions, which were utilized for model construction. This research offers a quantitative understanding of the complex behavior of GBM and holds promise for innovative personalized medicine applications.

I’m Takayuki Matsumoto from the S-Bio Division. Spring in my hometown of Kobe arrives accompanied by the sweet and savory aroma that drifts through the streets. The seasonal tradition of simmering fresh young sand lance (“shinko”) all at once in a large pot to make “kugini” is a unique local scene that signals the change of seasons, and it has been a formative experience for me since childhood.
However, in recent years, a combination of rising seawater temperatures, decreased spawning grounds, and nutrient deficiencies caused by the sea becoming too clean has led to record-low catches. Environmental changes in the Seto Inland Sea have quietly altered even the scenery of our dining tables. At my home, that large pot has remained stored away in the back of the cupboard for several years now.
Still, our love for this culture remains unchanged. The taste of kugini embodies the memories of those who have lived alongside the sea. To restore the richness of the sea, we must reassess what we can do and take action. I look forward to the day when that familiar aroma once again fills our kitchen.