This image visualizes the interaction between colon cancer stem cells and their surrounding “niche” cells. My research question is “how do niche cells contribute to tumorigenesis?”  My research goal is to discover novel therapeutic approaches by leveraging niche cells’ influence on cancer stem cells. This image allows us to hypothesize the complex interaction between cancer stem cells and their surrounding niche cells. Based on this image, we have been validating the functional role of “niche” cells in supporting cancer stem cells.