Pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1, ASPC-1) were seeded into fibronectin-coated highly porous polyethene scaffolds for biomimicry and cultured for 4 weeks in in vitro normoxia (21% O2) followed by a 2-day exposure to either in vitro hypoxia (1% O2) or maintenance in in vitro normoxia (21% O2). The gene discussed is FN1; the disease is familial pancreatic carcinoma.