Michael Bhatt

Michael Bhatt investigates how the extracellular matrix composition and mechanical properties of the tumor stroma regulate cancer cell behavior and therapeutic resistance. His research has characterized how collagen cross-linking by LOX family enzymes increases stromal stiffness, activating mechanotransduction pathways that promote tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and drug resistance. He demonstrated that stromal stiffness is prognostic and contributes to immunosuppression. His work explores targeting ECM cross-linking and matrix metalloproteinases as stromal normalization strategies.