research projects in biomedical engineering

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Biomedical engineering articles from across Nature Portfolio

Biomedical engineering is a branch of engineering that applies principles and design concepts of engineering to healthcare. Biomedical engineers deal with medical devices such as imaging equipment, biocompatible materials such as prostheses or therapeutic biologicals, or processes such as regenerative tissue growth, for example.

An electronic pill for non-invasive gastric monitoring

A wireless electronic capsule — which is engineered for ingestion and has a sensing ribbon that conforms to the shape of the stomach — can provide non-invasive and long-term tracking of gastric electrophysiological signals.

Stable and reliable bio-interfacing electrodes based on conductive hydrogels

A laser scanning method can be used to make conductive hydrogels that strongly and selectively adhere to polymer substrates, even in wet physiological environments.

Latest Research and Reviews

Spatially resolved epigenome sequencing via Tn5 transposition and deterministic DNA barcoding in tissue

Deterministic barcoding in tissue allows the mapping of chromatin accessibility and histone modifications with high spatial resolution via next-generation sequencing. The method enables rapid identification of cell types and their spatial distribution.

• Negin Farzad
• Archibald Enninful

In vivo organoid growth monitoring by stimulated Raman histology

• Barbara Sarri
• Véronique Chevrier
• Hervé Rigneault

Preparation of Erlotinib hydrochloride nanoparticles (anti-cancer drug) by RESS-C method and investigating the effective parameters

• Majid Bazaei
• Bizhan Honarvar
• Zahra Arab Aboosadi

Superporous sponge prepared by secondary network compaction with enhanced permeability and mechanical properties for non-compressible hemostasis in pigs

Developing porous hemostatic sponges remains challenging. Here, authors proposed a temperature-assisted secondary network compaction strategy following the phase separation induced primary compaction to fabricate the superporous chitosan sponges.

• Tianshen Jiang
• Sirong Chen

Clinical evaluation of AI-assisted muscle ultrasound for monitoring muscle wasting in ICU patients

• Phung Tran Huy Nhat
• Nguyen Van Hao
• Alberto Gomez

Advancing cancer detection with portable salivary sialic acid testing

• Mohamed Elgendi
• Lynnette Lyzwinski
• Carlo Menon

News and Comment

Home monitoring of patients with chronic kidney disease

The increasing prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is placing a growing burden on healthcare systems, which results in considerable economic and environmental challenges. Sustainable CKD care and optimization of patient outcomes requires a new approach to the organization of healthcare systems, in which home monitoring will have a pivotal role.

• Sabine H. Josemans
• Lucas Lindeboom
• Joris I. Rotmans

Robust pure PEDOT:PSS hydrogels for bioelectronic interfaces

An article in Nature Electronics presents a laser-induced phase separation method to fabricate robust conductive high-resolution hydrogel patterns.

• Silvia Conti

How medical schools can prepare students for new technologies

Patient educators and nurses can demonstrate the real-life use of health technologies.

• Chantal Mathieu

Making electronic circuits with hydrogels

An article in Science presents the design of a hydrogel with n-type semiconducting properties.

• Charlotte Allard

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At IMES, we lead groundbreaking research that harnesses the power of science and engineering to improve human health.

Our work comprises (but is not limited to) eight key areas: biomaterials science, drug delivery, genomics and biomedical informatics, computational medicine/clinical informatics, structural and functional imaging, regenerative medicine/tissue engineering, medical devices, and infectious diseases/immunology. Led by world-class MIT faculty and researchers, we are at the forefront of exploring new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease.

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Multi-modality image analysis and integration

Sponsor: Spectrum Health Foundation

Center/Institute: Institute of Computing and Cybersystems (ICC)

Research Focus: Computation Data Electronics & Sensing, Health

Machine learning for the assessment of hepatic perfusion in Fontan associated liver disease

Center/Institute: Health Research Institute (HRI)

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ERI: Non-Newtonian blood analogs and effect of their rheology on physiological flow stasis in heart valve applications

Sponsor: National Science Foundation

Research Focus: Health

Improving Endovascular Treatment Planning for Intracranial Aneurysms

Sponsor: American Heart Association Inc

Informational flow from mechanosensing to signaling for extracellular matrix stiffness sensing

Sponsor: US Dept of Health & Human Services

Research Focus: Life Sciences

Deciphering the relationship between bioresorbable magnesium alloy corrosion and the inflammatory microenvironment of the neotinima

Center/Institute: Institute of Materials Processing (IMP)

DMREF/Collaborative Research: Switchable Underwater Adhesion Through Dynamic Chemistry and Geometry

Research Focus: Computation Data Electronics & Sensing, Macro Micro and Nano Sciences, Robotics & Mechanics

Personalized Management of Intracranial Aneurysms Using Computer-aided Analytics

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• BMC Biomed Eng

BMC Biomedical Engineering: a home for all biomedical engineering research

Alexandros houssein.

1 Springer Nature, 4 Crinan Street, London, N1 9XW UK

Alan Kawarai Lefor

2 Department of Surgery, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi Japan

Antonio Veloso

3 Laboratory of Biomechanics and Functional Morphology, Faculty of Human Kinetics, Lisbon, Portugal

4 Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA

Jong Chul Ye

5 Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea

Dimitrios I. Zeugolis

6 Regenerative, Modular and Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Biomedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland

Sang Yup Lee

7 Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea

Associated Data

Not applicable.

This editorial accompanies the launch of BMC Biomedical Engineering , a new open access, peer-reviewed journal within the BMC series, which seeks to publish articles on all aspects of biomedical engineering. As one of the first engineering journals within the BMC series portfolio, it will support and complement existing biomedical communities, but at the same time, it will provide an open access home for engineering research. By publishing original research, methodology, database, software and review articles, BMC Biomedical Engineering will disseminate quality research, with a focus on studies that further the understanding of human disease and that contribute towards the improvement of human health.

Introduction

Biomedical engineering is a multidisciplinary field that integrates principles from engineering, physical sciences, mathematics and informatics for the study of biology and medicine, with the ultimate goal of improving human health and quality of life.

Biomedical engineering is not a new concept; however, it was not until the 1900s when rapid technological advancements in the chemical, physical and life sciences influenced breakthroughs in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. The invention of the electrocardiograph, the concept of x-ray imaging, the electron microscope, the mechanical heart valve and human genome sequencing, are just a few examples of technological innovations that revolutionised science and medicine and changed the approach to human healthcare. Current biomedical engineering technologies are a growing part of clinical decision making, which can now be influenced from multiscale observations, ranging from the nano to the macro-scale.

Today, the need for innovation in health technologies is ever more prominent. The annual global healthcare spending has seen continued growth and is projected to reach a staggering $8.7 trillion by 2020 [ 1 ]. Global health challenges are becoming more complex, wide spread and difficult to control. Resources are scarce and with a growing population, our society has a need for affordable, portable and sustainable solutions. The World Health Organisation has pledged to make a billion lives healthier by 2023 [ 2 ], a goal that will require widespread commitment by governments, funding agencies, researchers and clinicians. Biomedical engineers will be at the heart of this movement and face a responsibility for continuous innovation. Biomedical engineering research is expected to create health technologies that will drastically improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, as well as patient rehabilitation. As an example, the NIH 2016–2020 strategic plan focuses on point of care and precision medicine technologies including genetic engineering, microfluidics, nanomedicine, imaging, digital/mobile-Health and big data [ 3 ].

BMC Biomedical Engineering will strive to complement these efforts and provide an open access venue for the dissemination of all biomedical engineering research. As part of the BMC series, a portfolio of journals serving communities across all sciences, the Journal will act as a resource for a wide range of disciplines. It aims to support scientists, engineers and clinicians by making their research openly and permanently available, irrespective of their location or affiliation.

Aims and scope

BMC Biomedical Engineering considers articles on all aspects of biomedical engineering, including fundamental, translational and clinical research. It combines tools and methods from biology and medicine with mathematics, physical sciences and engineering towards the understanding of human biology and disease and the improvement of human health. The Journal will publish a range of article types, including research, methodology, software, database and review articles.

As part of the BMC series, a collection of open access, peer-reviewed and community focused journals covering all areas of science, editorial decisions will not be made on the basis of the interest of a study or its likely impact. Studies must be scientifically valid. For research articles this includes a scientifically sound research question, the use of suitable methods and analysis, and following community-agreed standards relevant to the research field.

BMC Biomedical Engineering aims to publish work that undergoes a thorough peer review process by appropriate peer-reviewers and is deemed to be a coherent and valid addition to the scientific knowledge. It aims to provide an open access venue which allows for immediate and effective dissemination of research and enables our readers to explore and understand the latest developments, trends and practices in biomedical engineering. We believe that open access and the Creative Commons Attribution License [ 4 ] are essential to this, allowing universal and free access to all articles published in the Journal and allowing them to be read and the data re-used without restrictions. BMC Biomedical Engineering will work closely with the rest of the journals in the BMC series portfolio [ 5 ] to help authors find the right home for their research. We will highlight selected journal content through various promotional channels to ensure the research reaches its target audience and receives the attention it deserves.

Editorial sections

Many new technologies that have revolutionised biomedical engineering require the coalition of previously independent communities. 3D bioprinting of tissues and organs brings together methods from cell biology, biomaterials, nanotechnology and engineering and is being used for the transplantation of tissues, including skin, bone, muscle, soft tissue, cartilage and others [ 6 , 7 ]. The concept of tissue and disease modelling is being driven towards drug discovery and toxicology studies, aiming to increase the yield of drug testing by tackling limitations of current cell and animal models [ 8 ].

New approaches in natural and synthetic biomaterials have redefined bioelectronics. Silk fibroins and other unconventional interfaces can form flexible electronics and challenge the use of silicon-based technologies. For biomedical applications, these new approaches present advantages not only due to their biocompatibility and low cost, but also for their electromechanical and optical virtues [ 9 ]. Implantable probes are being redesigned so that they facilitate long term stability and high resolution, without perturbing the biological system or creating an immune response. Such technologies are now able to facilitate recordings of single neurons in vivo, in a chronically stable manner, with applications to the restoration of vision and retinal prosthetics [ 10 ].

For many years biomedical imaging has been connecting microscopic discoveries with macroscopic observations. Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) is now able to image large spatial scales, from organelles to small animals, at very high speeds [ 11 ]. In fact, single-shot real-time imaging can operate at 10 trillion frames per second and is finding applications in breast cancer diagnosis [ 12 , 13 ].

In the field of medical robotics, new approaches combine machine learning and artificial intelligence to strengthen the clinician’s decision making. Others are leveraging augmented reality (AR) to facilitate better immersion and more natural surgical workflows for computer assisted orthopaedic surgery [ 14 ].

BMC Biomedical Engineering celebrates the interdisciplinary nature of the field. In order to navigate the wide range of biomedical engineering research, the Journal is structured in six editorial sections.

• Biomaterials, nanomedicine and tissue engineering
• Medical technologies, robotics and rehabilitation engineering
• Biosensors and bioelectronics
• Computational and systems biology
• Biomechanics
• Biomedical Imaging

We are delighted to welcome our founding Section Editors along with a growing international group of Editorial board Members [ 15 , 16 ]. The Journal is supported by an expert Editorial Advisory group of senior engineers and scientists, which is chaired by Distinguished Professor Sang Yup Lee. Together with the in-house Editor, this group will provide academic leadership and expertise and will work together to transverse into multiple clinical and engineering disciplines. The Editorial Board will keep growing and developing to reflect and adapt to the nature of this diverse community.

Biomaterials, nanomedicine and tissue engineering section

This section primarily focuses on the development of biofunctional tissue substitutes, which possess the highest level of biomimicry, through recapitulation of nature’s innate sophistication and thorough processes. It considers research, methods, clinical trials, leading opinion and review articles on the development, characterisation and application of nano- and micro- biofunctional biomaterials, cell-assembled tissue substitutes, diagnostic tools, microfluidic devices and drug/gene discovery and delivery methods. Manuscripts focusing on permanently differentiated, engineered and stem cell biology and application are welcome. This section will place a substantial focus on clinical translation and technologies that advance the current status-quo. As such, articles that enhance the scalability and robustness of tissue engineering methodologies, or that enable new and improved industrial or clinical applications of biomedical engineering discoveries, tools and technologies are strongly encouraged.

Medical technologies, robotics and rehabilitation engineering section

This section seeks to represent research in engineering that encompasses a wide range of interests across medical specialties, including orthopaedic, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, craniofacial, neurological, urologic and other medical technologies. It will consider research on medical robotics, computer assisted technologies, medical devices, e/m-health and other medical instrumentation. It aims to improve the prevention, diagnosis, intervention and treatment of injury or disease and it welcomes articles that represent new approaches to engineering that may be useful in the care of patients. Technical and practical aspects of rehabilitation engineering, from concept to clinic and papers on improving the quality of life of patients with a disability are encouraged. The section also seeks to represent clinically important research that is based on new and emerging technologies. This could include clinical studies of new approaches to robotic-assisted surgery, clinical studies of new devices, or other studies that are close to patient care or rehabilitation.

Biosensors and bioelectronics section

This section considers articles on the theory, design, development and application on all aspects of biosensing and bioelectronics technologies. The section will consider approaches that combine biology and medicine with sensing and circuits and systems technologies on a wide variety of subjects, including lab-on-chips, microfluidic devices, biosensor interfaces, DNA chips and bioinstrumentation. It also considers articles on the development of computational algorithms (such as deep learning, reinforcement learning, etc.) that interpret the acquired signals, hardware acceleration and implementation of the algorithms, brain-inspired or brain-like computational schemes, and bioelectronics technologies that can have a wide impact in the research and clinical community. Articles on implantable and wearable electronics, low-power, wireless and miniaturised imaging systems, organic semiconductors, smart sensors and neuromorphic circuits and systems are strongly encouraged.

Computational and systems biology section

Computational, integrative and systemic approaches are at the heart of biomedical engineering. This section considers papers on all aspects of mathematical, computational, systems and synthetic biology that result in the improvement of patient health. Integrative and multi-scale approaches, in the network and mechanism-based definition of injury and disease, or its prevention, diagnosis and treatment are welcome. Papers on high precision, interactive and personalised medicine, on digital/mobile health, on complex/big data analytics and machine learning, or on systemic and informatics approaches in a healthcare or clinical setting are encouraged.

Biomechanics section

This section represents the interdisciplinary field of biomechanics and investigates the relationship of structure with function in biological systems from the micro- to the macro- world. It considers papers on all aspects of analytical and applied biomechanics at all scales of observation, that improve the diagnosis, therapy and rehabilitation of patients or that advance their kinetic performance. The topics of interest range from mechanobiology and cell biomechanics to clinical biomechanics, orthopaedic biomechanics and human kinetics. Articles on the mechanics and wear of bones and joints, artificial prostheses, body-device interaction, musculoskeletal modelling biomechanics and solid/fluid computational approaches are strongly encouraged.

Biomedical imaging section

Biomedical imaging has been connecting microscopic discoveries with macroscopic observations for the diagnosis and treatment of disease and has seen considerable advances in recent years. This section will consider articles on all biomedical imaging modalities including medical imaging (MRI, CT, PET, ultrasound, x-ray, EEG/MEG), bio-imaging (microscopy, optical imaging) and neuroimaging across all scales of observation. Its primary focus will be to foster integrative approaches that combine techniques in biology, medicine, mathematics, computation, hardware development and image processing. Articles on new methodologies or on technical perspectives involving novel imaging concepts and reconstruction methods, machine learning, sparse sampling and statistical analysis tool development are encouraged.

The motivation for the launch of BMC Biomedical Engineering is to create an authoritative, unbiased and community-focused open access journal. We are committed to working together with our authors, editors and reviewers to provide an inclusive platform for the publication of high-quality manuscripts that span all aspects of biomedical engineering research. We welcome articles from all over the world and we will devote our efforts to ensure a robust and fair peer-review process for all. We believe in continuous improvement and we encourage the community to get in touch with us to provide ideas and feedback on how to improve the Journal and serve the community better.

We hope you will find the first group of articles an interesting and valuable read, and we look forward to working with you all to disseminate research into the exciting field of biomedical engineering.

Acknowledgements

Availability of data and materials, abbreviations.

Authors’ contributions

AH wrote the introduction, aims and scope and conclusion. AH, AKL, AV, ZY, JCY, DIZ and SYL wrote the editorial sections. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Consent for publication, competing interests.

AH is the Editor of BMC Biomedical Engineering and an employee of Springer Nature. AL, AV, ZY, JY, DZ and SL are members of the Editorial Board of BMC Biomedical Engineering .

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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Engineers and applied scientists aim to solve complicated problems arising from societal needs and concerns, that’s our great strength. Biological engineers address these problems by fusing quantitative, integrative, systems-oriented analysis and design approaches together with cutting-edge bioscience.

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Biomedical engineering advances: A review of innovations in healthcare and patient outcomes

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Biomedical Engineering Resources

When starting your research in biomedical engineering, your best bets are PubMed or Web of Science.

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• IOPscience This link opens in a new window IOPscience provides access to Institute of Physics journals covering biomedical engineering, condensed matter, graphene, materials, nanotechnology, quantum information and semiconductors in the fields of astronomy, astrophysics, biological physics, chemistry, engineering, environment, mathematics, physics and medical physics.

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Biomedical Engineering

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Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine Biomechanics Biomedical Devices Biomedical Sensors and Imaging Cell and Tissue Engineering Synthetic Biology Other

Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine (BMR):  These studies involve the creation or use of biomaterials or biocompatible materials to construct a whole or a part of a living structure. These studies can include scaffolds for recruiting or supporting regenerative cells or tissues or the engineering designs for creating the correct environment for regenerative growth.

Biomechanics (BIE):  Studies that apply classical mechanics (statics, dynamics, fluids, solids, thermodynamics, and continuum mechanics) to understand the function of biological tissues, organs, and systems and solve biological or medical problems. It includes the study of motion, material deformation, flow within the body and in devices, and transport of chemical constituents across biological and synthetic media and membranes.

Biomedical Devices (BDV):  The study and/or construction of an apparatus that use electronics and other measurement techniques to prevent and/or treat diseases or other conditions within or on the body.

Biomedical Sensors and Imaging (IMG):  The study and/or construction of an apparatus or technique that obtains data to measure a condition of the body using physical phenomenon (sound, radiation, magnetism, etc) with high speed electronic data processing, analysis and display to support biomedical advances and procedures.

Cell and Tissue Engineering (CTE):  Studies that utilize the anatomy, biochemistry and mechanics of cellular and sub-cellular structures in order to understand disease processes and to be able to intervene at very specific sites.

Synthetic Biology (SYN):  Studies that involve the design and construction of new biological parts, devices and systems. Such studies include biological circuit design, genetic circuits, protein engineering, nucleic acid engineering, rational design, directed evolution and metabolic engineering.

OTH   Other (OTH):  Studies that cannot be assigned to one of the above subcategories. If the project involves multiple subcategories, the principal subcategory should be chosen instead of Other.

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Use of MRI for Quantitative Imaging and Tissue Sciences

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Evaluating brain activity during functional tasks using noninvasive neuroimaging in healthy individuals and individuals with cerebral palsy

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Biofabrication of engineered 3D tissues for disease modeling and drug discovery

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The molecular and cellular effects of Therapeutic and Focused Ultrasound on tissue microenvironment

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Self-Collection Homebased Biosensor for Monitoring and Tracking Suspected COVID-19 Patients

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Optimization of Prolonged Normothermic Ex Vivo Animation of Human Tumor-bearing Liver Segments

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Atomic Force Microscopy and Structure of Plasmodium falciparum Circumsporozoite Protein and Lipid Rafts

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Application of Artificial Intelligence Methods to Predict Subcellular Locations of Proteins

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Ultrafast laser microscopy to study proteins and DNA. Fluorescent Lifetime Imaging: Approaches and Applications

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Genetic Engineering of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells with CRISPR-Cas9: The Role of Innate Immunity

Lee – Krynitsky – Pohida – 2023

Characterizing Spontaneous Movements During Early Development of Mice

Maas-Moreno – 2023

Uncertainty characterization and propagation for emerging Nuclear Medicine targeted therapy

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Programming and advanced data analytic techniques in magnetoencephalography imaging

Platt - 2023

Magnetic Resonance Angiography to Assess Sickle Cell Disease Mediated Carotid and Cerebral Artery Damage

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Microfabricated PDMS Vessel Mimetics for Cancer Cell Culture

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Role of innate immunity in medical device implantation and regenerative therapeutics

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Deciphering the chemo-mechanical properties of myosin-6 using scattering and fluorescence single molecule techniques

Simonds – Salem – Pohida - 2023

Video Monitoring System for Automated Detection of Pain- and Itch- Related Behaviors in Mice

Summers – Liu – 2023

Deep learning to analyze anasarca in patients with major organ failure or cancer

Summers – Mathai – 2023

Project #1 – Identifying Bone Metastasis in CT scans Project #2 -  Quantification of Renal Structural Findings on CT/MRI

Summers – Mukherjee – 2023

Imaging Biomarkers for Diabetes Medications

Tanner - 2023

Measure the viscoelastic properties of zerbafish brain using frequency optical tweezers to understand how the micro -mechanical properties of tissue affect metastatic tumor outgrowth

Tanner – Krynitsky – Pohida – 2023

Cancer Studies Using a Novel 3D Printed Zebrafish Intubation Chamber for Longitudinal Imaging

Tosato – DiPrima – 2023

Targeting Eph Tyrosine Kinase Receptors in Colorectal Cancer

Intern Name: Kevin Gery

Tosato – Feng – 2023

Study of the contribution of endothelial cells to adult hematopoiesis

BETA Intern Name: Madeline Giner

Tromberg - Quang - Hill - 2023

Development of biomedical optics technologies that non-invasively characterize tissue hemodynamics and translate them to a point-of-care setting

Intern Name: Emily Yu

Valera - Romero – Ahdoot - Garmendia – Pohida – 2023

Developing an improved transurethral resection (TUR) device for bladder tumors

Intern Name: Emily Herbert

Wood - Mikhail - Negussie - 2023

Characterization of immunotherapy-loaded drug-eluting microspheres and gels for transarterial embolization of liver tumors

Intern Name: Mahid Qureshi

Wood - Mikhail - Xu – 2023

Applying artificial intelligence in medical imaging

Zaghloul – 2023

Engineering approaches involving computational and signal to develop insights into the neural code of the human brain

Intern Name: William Noll

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Research Areas

The faculty within the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the McKelvey School of Engineering focus their research on seven key areas.

Biomedical & Biological Imaging

We aim to solve important basic science and clinical issues by developing new technologies to complement the already strong research and clinical imaging activities in our community.

Colored light investigated to control irregular heartbeat noninvasively

Researchers will use fruit flies to study a noninvasive stimulation and imaging technique to regulate an irregular heartbeat

Read full story

WashU-developed holograms help physicians during cardiac procedure

A holographic display developed by WashU researchers improves physician accuracy when performing a procedure to treat irregular heartbeat

Cardiovascular Engineering

We seek to develop new methods to study, diagnose and treat cardiovascular diseases, including understanding how molecules control the heartbeat, imaging the electrical potential at the surface of the heart and creating mathematical models to connect heart function to its nanoscale molecular foundation.

Cell & Molecular Bioengineering

This program seeks to develop innovative approaches for treating disease, such as those associated with misfolded proteins like Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s, by manipulating molecules, cells or systems. 

Compound may prevent risk of a form of arrhythmia from common medications

Through both computational and experimental validation, a multi-institutional team of researchers has identified a compound that prevents the lengthening of the heart’s electrical event, or action potential, resulting in a major step toward safer use and expanded therapeutic efficacy of these medications when taken in combination.

Stroke-recovery device using brain-computer interface receives FDA market authorization

Innovative multidisciplinary research at Washington University led to development of 'breakthrough' device

Neural Engineering

Faculty involved in this area of research study neurons, neural systems, behavior and neurological disease; explore novel approaches to sensory and motor processing, and fundamentals of neural plasticity; and design neuroprosthetics.

Orthopedic Engineering

In this area, we seek to understand the mechanical and material properties of bone and soft tissues, and exploit biomaterial and cellular processes to mediate injury responses and promote regeneration.

Lab-grown cartilage

Engineered stem cells could revolutionize arthritis therapy and joint replacement

WashU engineering, orthopedic team to study painful degenerative condition

An interdisciplinary WashU team can now study changes to nerve cells and cross talk between degenerating spinal discs and sensory nerves looking at changes that might cause pain.

Regenerative Engineering in Medicine

This program aims to develop materials that promote healing and the regeneration of functional tissues by researching normal growth processes and the responses of cells, tissues and organisms to disease and trauma.

Women's Health Technologies

Faculty involved in this program utilize modeling, imaging, and experimental approaches to study women’s reproductive health and gynecologic cancers including ovarian, cervical and uterine cancers. 

‘Hopeful technology’ could change detection, diagnosis of deadly ovarian cancer

A promising new diagnostic imaging technique may improve current standard of care for patients with ovarian cancer.

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Top 10 Bioengineering Trends for the 2020s

• Topics & Resources

Human organs-on-chips are used to develop personalized medicine. Photo: Wyss Institute

Date Published:

Jan 29, 2020

Mark Crawford

This story was updated on 10/14/2022.

Biomedical engineering is a rapidly evolving, cross-disciplinary field that involves medicine, biology, chemistry, engineering, nanotechnology, and computer science. Bioengineers are at the forefront of scientific discovery, creating innovative medical devices, vaccines, disease management products, robots, and algorithms that improve human health around the world.

Below are ten of the hottest bioengineering R&D trends happening this decade.

1. Tissue Engineering

The cells are printed in thin layers that accumulate into living tissue or body parts that can be implanted. Researchers at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine have used a special 3D printer to create tissues that thrive when implanted in rodents.

2. Transdermal Patches

For example, scientists at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have created a transdermal patch filled with drugs that help fight obesity. Instead of being taken orally or through injection, these compounds are released through hundreds of biodegradable microneedles in the patch that barely penetrate the skin. As the needles dissolve, the drugs are slowly released into the body.

3. Wearable Devices

Find Out More in the Infographic: What Is Bioengineering?

Smart clothing controls body temperatures by using special polymers and humidity-responsive vents that open when needed. It has been proposed that individualized temperature control through clothing could reduce a building’s heating and cooling costs by up to 15 percent.

4. Robotic Surgeons and Rehabilitation

Robots are also extremely helpful to people who have suffered strokes or brain injuries when it comes to relearning motor tasks. For example, the Lokomat is a gait training system that uses a robotic exoskeleton and a treadmill to help patients regain basic walking functions. It also allows the therapist to control the walking speed and how much support the robotic legs give to the patient.

5. Nanorobots

Nanorobot designs include DNA-based structures containing cancer-fighting drugs that bind only with a specific protein found on cancer tumors. After attachment, the robot releases its drug into the tumor.

By delivering the pharmaceutical agents exactly where they are needed, the body is not overloaded with toxicity and the side effects are fewer or less intense, improving the patient experience.

6. Virtual Reality

Virtual reality, or VR, is an especially valuable tool in the medical field because of how it can present the data taken from 3D medical images in incredibly detailed views of a patient’s body, or area of medical concern—for example, the cardiovascular system.

Related Video: How Does a Robotic Cane Work?

The model can be examined from all angles and points of interest in order to determine the best way to perform a procedure. Surgeons can even practice a complex procedure multiple times before performing it.

VR is also a critical teaching tool—medical students, for example, can perform virtual dissections instead of using cadavers.

7. Microbubbles

Researchers continue to look for new ways to selectively deliver drugs to specific target areas, thereby avoiding damage to healthy cells and tissue. One unique approach is microbubbles, which are very tiny, micron-sized particles filled with gas.

“Microbubbles loaded with drugs can be injected into the body, and they will distribute everywhere, but I can then disrupt the microbubbles by an ultrasound beam and the drug will be delivered specifically where the drug is needed,” said Beata Chertok , Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan. Microbubbles can also be treated with a substance that will make them adhere to tumors without the need for ultrasound.

8. Prime Editing

This new gene-editing technique builds on the successes of base editing and CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Prime editing rewrites DNA by only cutting a single strand to add, remove, or replace base pairs. This method allows researchers to edit more types of genetic mutations than existing genome-editing approaches, including CRISPR-Cas9.

Further Reading: CRISPR Tech to Detect Ebola

To date, the method has only been tested with human and mouse cells.

“Potential impacts include being able to directly correct a much larger fraction of the mutations that cause genetic diseases and being able to introduce DNA changes into crops that result in healthier or more sustainable foods,” said David Liu , director of the Merkin Institute for Transformative Technologies in Healthcare at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT.

9. Organ-on-a-Chip

Chip technologies allow the construction of microscale models that simulate human physiology outside of the body. Organs-on-chips are used to study the behavior of tissues and organs in tiny—but fully functional—sample sizes to better understand tissue behavior, disease progression, and pharmaceutical interactions.

For example, inflammation processes can be studied to determine how inflammation is triggered and its value as an early-warning indicator for underlying medical conditions, including autoimmune responses. Other physiological processes studied on chips include thrombosis, mechanical loading on joints, and aging.

10. Mini Bioreactors

Bioreactors are systems that support biologically active organisms and their by-products. Smaller bioreactors are easier to manage and require lesser sample volumes. Advances in microfluidic fabrication capabilities now make it possible to design microscale bioreactors that can incorporate enzymes or other biocatalysts, as well as precision extraction systems, to produce highly pure products.

These systems provide economic high-throughput screening, using only small amounts of reagents, compared to conventional bench-scale reactors. As 3D printing becomes more refined, it should be possible to manufacture miniature bioreactors with more unusual flow paths or specially designed culture chambers.

Future Trends

Miniaturization, material innovations, personalized medicine, and additive manufacturing are key engineering trends that biomedical researchers are eager to incorporate into their designs. These technologies, in fact, open up a vast array of new design options that were not possible using conventional manufacturing methods.

These R&D advances are also happening at an ever-increasing rate—bioengineers must keep pace with disruptive technology and innovations to make the best products and maintain or boost their market share and brand reputation.

Mark Crawford is a technology writer based in Corrales, N.M.

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Research at Biomedical Engineering

Faculty research areas.

• Micro and Nanoengineering in Medicine
• Bio 3D-printing
• Advanced Robotic Manipulators
• Immunoengineering
• Nanomaterials Biotechnology
• Medical Imaging and Neuroengineering
• Biopolymers and Flexible Bioelectronics
• Tissue Engineering
• Genetics and Synthetic Biology
• Nanomedicine
• Computational Biomedical Engineering
• Biomedical Instrumentation

Micro and Nanoengineering in Medicine (MiNiMedicine) Laboratory

Research conducted in the laboratory focuses on elucidating cell-microenvironment interactions by creating defined biomimetic platforms, and therefore regulating cell fates for regenerative medicine and engineering microscale physiologically relevant systems, or tissue chips for understanding, diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. The lab is supported by research grants from NIH and NSF.

Faculty grants

Please view the pdf file for biomedical engineering faculty grants .

Research seminars

Past seminars.

• Capstone Projects

The Capstone Project is intended to culminate the skills of the BME undergraduate degree. The students are required to take the course and complete the project their senior year. Below are examples of student projects from previous years. 

Class of 2023

Electromyography Guided Video Game Therapy for Stroke Survivors

Students:  Anisa Abdulhussein, Hannamarie Ecobiza, Nikhil Patel, Carter Ung

Advisor:  Dr. Jerome Schultz

A Hybrid in Silico Model of the Rabbit Bulbospongiosus Nerve

Students:  Lilly Roelofs, Anh Tran, Dana Albishah, Hoang Tran, David Lloyd, Zuha Yousuf, Farial Rahman, Laura Rubio

Advisor:  Dr. Mario Romero-Ortega

Highly Specific Vertical Flow-Based Point-of-Care For Rapid Diagnosis of Lupus

Students:  Valeria Espinosa, Lediya Haider, Bao Le, and Christian Pena

Advisor:  Dr. Chandra Mohan

Design and Fabrication of Novel Flexible and Elastomeric   Device for Bladder Neuromodulation  

Students:  Kenneth Nguyen, Laura Rubio, Jessica Avellaneda, Juan Gonzalez

Residual Gastric Stomach Volume via Dye Dilution

Students:  Sean Chakraborty, Tien Tran, Elizabeth Kolb, Elaine Raymond

Remote Tremor Monitoring System

Students:  Mikayla Deehring, Bryan McElvy, Elizabeth Perry, William Walker

Advisor:  Dr. Nuri Ince

BCI Assistance in Simple Hand Movements to Enable IMC/CMC-Based Rehabilitation for Post-Stroke Patients

Students:  Wesley Cherry, Shanzeh Imran, Rami ElHajj, Nivriti Sabhani

Advisor:  Dr. Yingchun Zhang

3D Printing Scaffold for Cardiovascular Tissue Regeneration

Students:  Anaga Ajoy, Kailee Keiser, Aria Shankar, Alexa Truong

Advisor:  Dr. Renita Horton

Electrotactile Stimulator for Modeling Localized Touch in the Hand

Students:  Alan Luu, Raed Mohammed, Anique Siddiqui, and Brendan Wong

CNN-Driven Hand Prosthetic for Neurorehabilitation

Students:  Neftali Garcia, Wajid Masood, Angela Soto

Class of 2022

Skin Blood Flow Based on a Thermal Sensor

Students:  Rumaisa Baig, Aliza Sajid, Kinda Aladdasi, Hira Rizvi, and Eugenia Ponte

3D Printing of Scaffolds for Cardiovascular Tissue

Students:  Ayesha Budhwani, Duc Ho, Dorothy Mwakina, Nicolas Nino

Graphene Electrodes for Body Energy Harvesting

Students:  Sarah Hakam, Hy Doan, Attiya Hussaini, Krishna Sarvani Deshabtotla

COVID-19 Antibodies Detection Using Spike Protein Microarray Chip

Students:  Fariz Nazir, Chinenye Chidomere, Bryan Choo, Jessica Chidomere

Advisor:  Dr. Tianfu Wu

Relating Pressure to fNIRS Optical Signal Quality

Students:  Mautin Ashimiu, Shannen Eshelman, Amanda Reyes, Catherine Tran

Advisor:  Dr. Luca Pollonini and Dr. Samuel Montero Hernandez

Optimization of a Loading Tool for a Novel Cardiac Assist Device (CAD)

Students:  Amie Theall, Barbora Bobakova, Zarmeen Khan, Abigail Janvier

The ExoAssist:  A Soft Exoskeleton Device for Foot Drop

Students:  Alexandru Neagu, Dailene Torres, Loren Thompson, Dylan Creasey

Advisor:  Dr. Jose Luis Contreras-Vidal

Physical Therapy Device for Shoulder Rehabilitation

Students:  Jordyn Folh, Raeedah Alsayoud, Mirren Robison, Xanthica Carmona

Residual Gastric Volume by George’s Dye Dilution Method

Students:  Sarah Aldin, Rita Maduro, Patrick Calderon, Hebah Kafina

EEG-based Control of a Robotic Hand

Students:  Martin Reyes, Regan Persyn, Quynh Nguyen, Bryan Gutierrez

Advisor:  Dr. Yingchun Zhang and Michael Houston

ASD Screening in Children using Machine Learning

Students:  Yalda Barram, Tatiana Barroso, Theresa Pham, and Amy Tang

Advisor:  Dr. Joseph Francis

Optimized PEGDA Hydrogel Miniature Gel Electrophoresis for Genomic Analysis

Students:  Alma Antonette Antonio, Jose Carrion, Lindsey McGill, Sharmeen Shahid

Advisor:  Dr. Metin Akay and Dr. Yasemin Akay

Class of 2021

Project 1: Vital Sign Wristband

Abstract: As most hospitals transition to a digital world in order to streamline medical procedure, our group wanted to streamline the check in process by making a wristband that measures vital signs. We wanted the wristband to measure heart rate, temperature, and blood oxygen, and for this data to be sent to an app. We first decided which sensors to use, and moved forward with the MCP9808 temperature sensor and the MAX30100 sensor for heart rate and blood oxygen. We then assured the MCP9808 worked to our standards by connecting it to a ESP32 microcontroller on a breadboard. The connection and reading of the sensor required Arduino code, which we constructed with online resources. After getting the readings that aligned with our expected values, we followed the same procedure with the MAX30100 sensor. We then ‘pushed’ the data to an app that we constructed using Blynk, an app that is used to read data from microcontrollers. After ‘pushing’ the data to our app, we were ready to start making the wristband by connecting the sensors to the ESP32s, and attaching the connections to a wristband using V elcro. With our final prototype, we were able to wirelessly read heart rate, temperature, and blood oxygen from the Blynk app. To more efficiently assist in hospital applications, a potential future direction for this project would be to add blood pressure as a parameter for the wristband. We would also like the wristband to ID the patient that is wearing it in order to track and assign the data throughout their stay.

Project 2: Development of a low cost method to evaluate mask efficiency

Abstract: Since the start of the pandemic, over 1.5 Billion single use face masks have been used across the globe. Many people have also made and using homemade masks due to convenience or necessity. At the start of the pandemic there was an acute shortage of masks and even now, with the lifting of mask mandates across the United States, we anticipate that masks will still be used by the public for the foreseeable future. Our objective was to develop a fast, low cost reusable method to evaluate the efficiency of face masks and the materials that are used to manufacture them. We believe that consumers could benefit from knowing that masks that they buy or make are useful and will protect them from COVID 19 and future diseases. To accomplish this, we built a self contained unit that works by measuring the efficiency of material by calculating the amount of light reflected by aerosolized salt solution that penetrates masks. The consumer can use their phone to take a picture of the light compartment through the device and upload the result to our website that will give them the efficiency immediately. In future versions we hope to make the process easier by using an inbuilt camera and a single switch to turn the device on and off.

Project 3: Sensor Array for COVID19 Diagnostics

Abstract: The emergence of the COVID 19 pandemic has highlighted the need for reliable and rapid diagnostic tools to aid in community wide contact tracing and monitoring efforts. Early Covid 19 tests relied on either molecular or serological assays, which had long turnaround times and required specialized equipment and personnel. Our goal was to create a diagnostic tool that could provide rapid and accurate patient feedback without the need of special equipment. To this end we employed the use of a metal oxide array, which was composed of four sensors, in order to detect endogenous Volatile Organic Compounds in the breath. These sensors were fabricated and supplied by the Nanodevices and Materials Lab. We developed a comprehensive testing setup involving a Mass Flow Controller, Gas Chamber, Multiplexor, and a Picoammeter with the creation of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to make the data collection autonomous and efficient. We also devised a pattern recognition algorithm using Principal Component Analysis and K Means Clustering to identify our four target gases based on the sensor array’s response.

Project 4: Microcontroller Based Functional Electrical Stimulator

Abstract: Electrical stimulation is used in various therapeutic applications in medicine, ranging from neuromodulation to functional mapping of the brain. There are still many of these devices that are operated through manual tuning and pressing buttons. Having the ability to control these analog devices from a computer is critical for research and advanced therapy , but this cannot be done The aim of this Capstone Project is to develop a low cost Functional Electrical Stimulator (FES) that can be fully controlled with a microcontroller (Teensy 3.5) connected to a PC through a USB interface. In practice, the system can be used in various scenarios, but the intended application is for delivering non invasive Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES). The hardware was developed using 9 Volt batteries connected to DC DC boosters for power supply and other primary components that include analog switches and transistors. This system is controlled through Arduino IDE and a Graphical User Interface (GUI) developed within MATLAB that allows for ease of manipulation and further development in the future. We have successfully produced a symmetrical, biphasic square wave capable of operating at 60 microsecond pulse widths. We have also demonstrated the capability of producing a biphasic sinusoidal wave with flexible frequency. One future goal of this system is to fuse it with a brain computer interface (BCI) that can drive the FES to improve the rehabilitation of the patients suffering from stroke or spinal cord injury by translating their thoughts to muscle contractions and associated movement.

Project 5: Inclusive System for Image Capture and Rheological Image Analysis for Artificial Microvascular Network

Abstract: Measuring blood flow in capillaries of an Artificial MicroVascular Network (AMVN) device is typically done using a research grade inverted microscope. Research grade microscopes can provide high resolution images but are bulky, unportable, and expensive, which significantly limits the scope of AMVN technology. As an alternative, we have developed an inclusive, portable system that contains all of the necessary hardware to perform the experiment as well as a code to analyze the perfusion rates of the AMVN channels. The system utilizes a camera and magnification lens to simulate the optics of a microscope, but in a more affordable, compact, and user friendly unit. Video captured by the system can easily be transferred to a laptop for analysis. The perfusion rate data produced using our code has yielded reproducible and accurate results comparable to values in previous literature. This inclusive system can be used to perform analysis on a variety of experiments including testing the effect of new storage conditions, additive solutions, novel drugs, and rejuvenation strategies on the rheological properties of red blood cells in vitro. Future work could entail expanding the usefulness of the system to function with various different microfluidic devices.

Project 6: Voice Activated Alarm System for Patients with Limited Mobility

Abstract: Current hospital alert systems require a mechanical input, most commonly the push of a button Patients with mobility issues such as quadriplegics are unable to perform this input Most solutions to this problem require proximity and are prone to displacement, such as clipping the button to patients’ gowns to press with their chin If these devices are displaced, the patient is unable to correct it, and must resort to yelling to alert a nurse Our device will attempt to mitigate these shortcomings by allowing the patient to speak to activate the alert system, allowing for input at a greater distance with no limb movements required The device uses a mini computer with a microphone attachment for voice input and activation, and a microcontroller connected to a solenoid for mechanical activation of the alert system. This allows for the device to be easily and selectively integrated into the existing alert system at most hospitals We assembled and programmed the device to respond to a specific key phrase amid ambient noise and were able to voice activate the solenoid, as well as demonstrate that it could generate enough force to push a button Future work could replace the external power source with a battery, and compact into a flexible attachment This device will improve accessibility and quality of life for patients with restricted limb mobility

Project 7: Biological Organism Recording and Integrated System During Rocket Launch

Abstract: Space exploration has deleterious effects on the human body and can lead to significant long term adverse effects such as muscle atrophy and bone density loss Many astronauts undergo intense training to prepare for a launch such as High G training, where they are exposed to a high amount of G force Understanding the impact the hypergravity and microgravity environments have on tissue development and function is critical to keeping humans healthy for space travel, especially with the upcoming Artemis program and Mars missions Thus, there is need for a device that can monitor the effects that high action events, such as a rocket launch, has on an organism’s tissues in real time The Biological Organism Recording and Integrated System (BORIS is a device mounted inside the payload bay of Space City Rocketry’s high powered rocket Oberon, with the aim of observing and recording the impact of high accelerative forces on a cell culture to understand how the forces of flight make changes to the structure and function of cell walls and membranes Video footage of magnified cells and interior payload temperature are recorded for analysis of cell conditions and to determine the change in cell diameter during the flight a test flight in March observed rudimentary footage during a 24 second ascent of 7514 N applied on the cells, and internal temperature varied over 1 C Increased magnification and securing the switch on the device light are the next steps to ensure video is visible for the whole flight and that clusters of cells may be identified more easily.

Project 8: Remote Rehabilitation System

Abstract: Electromyography signals are electrical impulses generated by muscle activation. Such signals are obtained using an EMG device to analyze the muscles of interest and determine any muscular or motor dysfunction. Consequently, they can be used for rehabilitation purposes. Currently, there are only a few wireless EMG systems, and they are expensive. However, they can be highly beneficial in cases that would require patient isolation or other reasons. Inspired by this and the growing telerehabilitation, our team set a goal to build an affordable and wireless rehab system that entails building the EMG device and the mobile application necessary to transfer/receive data. The device consists of 3 MyoWare sensors that collect and transfer integrated and rectified EMG signals to the mobile app via the Bluetooth module. The app was built through a program, compatible with the device’s components, called MIT App Inventor 2, and works on Android phones only. The application receives and displays the EMG signals that can also be saved locally. Additionally, it can time the patient’s activity. Further improvements could be made to our system to provide a highly effective remote rehab system for the targeted patients.

Project 9: Blood Flowmeter for Skin

Abstract: For diabetic patients, blood circulation to extremities becomes slower and, as result, can lead to decreased healing rate and increased risk for infection. A lack of treatment can lead to the infection potentially spreading to surrounding tissue and even limb amputation. Monitoring blood flow rate is crucial in detecting the risk for such an infection. While there are other devices for measuring blood flow, such as the Laser Doppler flowmeter, the cost for these devices are often high and used mainly in a clinical setting. We proposed a design for a low cost and portable device to calculate the average energy required to keep a small region of skin at a set temperature for one minute and relate that measurement to blood flow. Our device consists of a small heating coil made from nichrome wire and has an NTC thermistor placed in the center of the coil. We used Arduino Uno as a hardware to software platform and coded for our device via MATLAB. Our software utilizes an on off temperature control system and a relay component to safely power the heating element to the set temperature. To test our device, we developed a low cost artificial vein model to mimic blood circulation and correlated varying flow rates to average energy required to keep the circulation five degrees higher than its current temperature. Our device demonstrates a potential low cost method for measuring blood circulation and for improving the lives of diabetic patients.

Project 10: A Wireless sEMG Based Robotic Rehabilitation System

Abstract: Stroke has been a huge concern throughout the years as it is known to be one of the leading causes of death in the United States For stroke patients, there are a couple of techniques such as targeted physical and technology assisted activities that would help them and serve as therapy to gain motor movement. Nevertheless, new advances in bioengineering have introduced a robotic hand named ‘Hand of Hope” (HoH) that uses real time surface electromyographic signals (sEMG) to control the robotic hand according to the patient’s muscle signals. sEMG is a procedure that measures muscle response or electrical activity based on an individual’s response to nerve stimulation and is recorded by placing electrodes on the surface of a patient’s muscle In this project, TMSi Refa Amplifier was used to amplify the signals received from the sEMG electrodes and send it to MATLAB Later, the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) communication will serve as a method of communication between the commands in MATLAB and the robotic hand motor control performance based on the classified sEMG signals The experiment included fine motor movements such as hand opening/closing and the movement of finger combination gestures. By creating a LDA classifier with 81 accuracy, we were able to have the robotic hand identify and assist in 5 different gestures We hope this stroke rehabilitation technique will help patients with reinforcement of their fine motor function through the strengthening of the nerve signal pathway

Project 11: Quantifying Peripheral Nerves using Deep Learning

Abstract: Larger neurons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) have thick myelin sheaths which cause them to be easy to detect during transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. Smaller neurons that tend to be unmyelinated lack the distinct bold outline. Current methods of quantifying axons in PN tissue include manual counting, which is labor intensive and inaccurate. This project is aiming to develop an open source software using Python to automatically identify and quantify cell types (large/small neurons) from TEM images of PN tissue. We built a basic mask region based convolutional neural network (Mask R CNN) using a pre trained object detection model to identify the presence, location, and type of cells. This program is able segment a large image, learn filter values, detect axons apart from other cells, then places a color mask over the cell depending on the thickness of the myelin sheaths. These masks are quantified. As can be seen in the image our program can detect larger, myelinated axons but has trouble with detecting smaller axons. Once we adjust our code to locate both types of axons, we will run our program with a larger dataset of TEM images then compare to manually counted images. This program can be made more beneficial for research teams by further developing it into a deep learning neural network. This will allow researchers to process larger datasets with more accurate results and less preprocessing. Another future direction is to integrate this program with an image analysis software, such as Image J, using Jython , a python java hybrid code.

Project 12: Smart Multiplex Flow Meter Sensor System

Abstract: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a highly prevalent condition in women. This condition consists of weakened pelvic muscles leading to diminished bladder control; often leading to uncontrollable leakage during physical movements. Despite the inconveniences of this disorder, treatment options are limited due to safety and efficacy concerns. To study this, we created an automated metabolic cage suited for female rabbits with induced SUI. The objective of this proposal was to create an adaptable system that includes a collection apparatus and a sensor system. These are then attached to the current cages at the University of Houston to measure volume and frequency of micturition events with easy access for data retrieval. This prototype incorporates a mesh filter, a funnel, a flow rate sensor, a peristaltic pump, and an Arduino with Bluetooth capabilities. The data is wirelessly transmitted to a local PC for easy processing and data analysis. Overall, the prototype has been successful in measuring correct volumes of fluid with approximately 93% accuracy and allows for the automatic transfer of data from the Arduino to the mounted SD card for further data analysis. For the future, we plan to test our prototype with SUI-induced rabbits to ensure that the prototype is compatible, accurate for urine testing, and that the prototype can be used to study SUI. This can revolutionize the research industry by improving accuracy of urinary data from rabbits to further the understanding of SUI and other urinary disorders.

Class of 2015

Project 1: Fabrication of Immunosensing Soft Contact Lens as a POC System in Eye Infection Detection

Abstract: Rapid diagnosis of infection within the eye is an area of study that has (to date) been very limited in exploration and innovation. Differentiation between bacterial, fungal, and viral infections within the eye is a difficult process due to the similarities in symptoms in patients with a variety of ocular infections. Proposed is an ELISA-based immunosensing contact lens capable of detecting inflammatory protein markers within human aqueous tears. Soft contact lens assembly will be conducted via two primary methods: synthesis of novel hydrogel-based lens with maximum binding capabilities and improved cross-linking and surface plasma modification of commercially available soft contact lens for binding and successful detection. The lenses will be printed with anti- VCAM-1 antibodies, intended for the detection of the protein VCAM-1, an inflammatory marker. Detection will be conducted using a solution of peroxidase-labeled secondary antibodies in conjunction with a silver reagent, initiating an enzyme-catalyzed silver deposition reaction indicative of the presence of the inflammatory marker. Initial progress in development has been focused on research and acquisition of materials. Due to the limited literature available in the development of such novel diagnostic tools, extensive research has been conducted into creating a device with optimum binding and detecting capabilities. All materials have been sourced and, once received, will immediately be used for hydrogel synthesis and commercial lens plasma modification. Extensive testing will be conducted on the lenses, utilizing an artificial “tear” solution containing VCAM-1 protein for feasibility of design. Following establishment of success of this design, additional modifications will be made to test lens’ capability for differentiating between different types of inflammatory responses and viability of this diagnostic device in clinical applications.

Project 2: Modular Physiological Monitoring System

Abstract: The intended application of the project is vital monitoring during commercial space flights, home healthcare, fitness, and research. The system will measure both physiological and environmental parameters simultaneously. EKG, skin temperature, barometric pressure (altitude), ambient temperature, accelerations, and UV index are the parameters that will be measured. The centerpiece of the system is the Arduino microcontroller. All sensors and the EKG shield are connected to the Arduino boards, which extract the readings of all sensors. The extracted data will be sent to a computer through Wi-Fi thanks to the wireless capability of the Arduino Yun microcontroller. Plotly will be used for data extraction and analysis. Parameter relational plots will be constructed using physiological response to environmental stressors. At the conclusion of last semester we constructed a model on an Arduino Uno board to demonstrate system capabilities. An ambient temperature sensor was implemented in the model with on-board LED lights (green and red) that provided notification (Red LED) when the ambient temperature exceeded 21.5 degrees Celsius. An LCD monitor was also included to demonstrate continuous sensor measurements and display. At the beginning of the second semester we had completed development of the hardware prototype (Milestone 1) and the formation of the Central Hardware Interface (CHI) (Milestone 2), and were starting to work on the data extraction, analysis, and display. This was done by using Plotly to communicate sensor data wirelessly to a server. A computer then extracts this data and displays it in real-time. At the conclusion of the second semester, we had a completed system that utilized two microcontrollers to wirelessly extract and display data (Milestone 3). Although using two microcontrollers was not our original objective, it was the best way for us to integrate the serial EKG into the system. Future work can focus on the miniaturization of the system and establishing communication between the two boards. Our total expenditure for this project was $168 in parts and $6400 in labor.

Project 3: Embryo Dissection Station

Abstract: The purpose of our project was to design, improve, and develop the methods and processes used for the live embryo dissection, including, improvement to the dissection station and examination process. The specific concentration of this project was the construction of a live embryo dissection station that has the same uniform temperature throughout the apparatus that is also economical with regard to fabrication (i.e., the process is cost- and time-effective).

Project 4: Google Glass as a Diagnostic for Melanoma

Abstract: Early melanoma diagnosis is vital for the prevention of complication onsets that may compromise an individual’s life span. In order to diagnose for the presence of melanoma, patients are required to visit a medical facility, which results in the negligence of early symptoms. Our team proposed to develop a melanoma diagnostic utility using Google Glass, which would help provide a point-of-care diagnosis without having to visit a medical facility. Developing a Google Glass diagnostic presents various challenges that mandate the integration of different techniques. The Glass is only capable of capturing 2 dimensional images with its camera, but in order to enhance the diagnostic accuracy, we are developing a code based on the modification of existing algorithms that can create 3-dimensional images from 2-dimensional images. Implementing additional diagnostic criteria for existing 2-dimensional analysis will allow for a 3-dimensional melanoma analysis, which would provide definitive diagnostic results. Image acquisition and analysis will be done via servers that support the processes, and then integrated into the Google Glass. At this time, the Google Glass provides big challenges due to its relative new introduction into the technology market. Therefore, our project includes establishing a method to connect the Google Glass to a development platform, create a graphical user interface to display the diagnostic results, and integrate the servers for a comprehensive diagnosis. During this semester, we were able to establish the software development platform, create a sample melanoma diagnostic display, create a preliminary low resolution 3-dimensional image construct, and run successful 2-dimensional analysis on sample melanoma images. The sponsors covered the Google Glass cost of $1,500, and the University of Houston provides the necessary software for the development process.

Project 5: Optimization of SMFT-based Actuation System Final Report

Abstract: In our Capstone Design Project, we are tasked to optimize an actuation system based on Solid Media Flexible Transmission (SMFT). The SMFT-based system is applicable for robot-assisted surgeries within the MRI, where a very strong permanent magnetic field, fast changing magnetic field gradients and RF pulses are used. SMFT tubes have the potential to efficiently transfer force without the use of magnetically susceptible materials, making it compatible with the MRI scanner. Previously, the tubes have been used at a force transfer efficiency of 50%. Our goal is to increase the force transfer efficiency to 70%. To achieve this goal, we designed a force transfer efficiency testing system involving load cell force sensors, a testing station, and SMFT tubes (Milestones 1, 2, and 3). We also aimed to complete the actuation system by assembling an MRI-compatible needle onto it (Milestone 4). We have successfully completed Milestones 1 and 2, which involves calibrating the load cell and designing a cost-efficient stationary load cell holder to hold the load cell for force efficiency tests. In completing Milestone 3, we have successfully made more stable connections using BNC-BNC cables and interlocking connectors and collected data for the force transfer efficiency of a 1m SMFT tube. Milestone 4 involves assembling a needle holder to be attached to the actuation system and testing it on a porcine kidney suspended in a ballistic gel. The project has reliability constraints for the load cell rod, economic constraints in the 3D printing of the load cell testing station, and manufacturability constraint in the current 3D printing cost and the project’s applicability to test other force transfer systems. During the testing, standards such as the maximum load capacity and the excitation voltage of the load cells have to be determined. The load cell itself follows the accuracy standard IEC 61298-2. In conclusion, the force transfer efficiency decreases with increasing lengths of tubes, but increases at an average of 12.1% across all tubes.

Class of 2014

Project 1: Wireless ECG and Respiratory Monitoring System 

Abstract: The purpose of this project is to design a Wireless ECG and Respiratory Monitoring System. The ECG signal would be collected by electrodes and then amplified and filtered by analog circuit. Next the microcontroller would convert the analog signal into digital signal and amplify it even more. The microcontroller is included in the Wireless transmitter system. Then the data will be sent through MSP430 wireless transmitter (TI wireless development tool) to be processed in a local PC. Our Respiratory monitoring system measures the airflow by using nasal cannula pressure system. This system consists of a nasal cannula (which is standard for oxygen administration) connected to a pressure transducer. Respiratory waveform signal will be generated by detecting the fluctuations in pressure caused by inspiration and expiration. The data will be sent through the same wireless transmitter to be processed in a local PC.

Project 2: Optical Projection Tomography System

Abstract: The scope of this project is to build for Baylor College of Medicine an Optical Projection Tomography system to use in function with an ongoing embryology study. The goal of this project is for the Optical Projection Tomography system to provide a method for high throughput murine embryo imaging. Our design is based on previously published work from the University of Toronto with tweaks and customizations for the specific application requested by Baylor College of Medicine. These tweaks include a differing CCD camera and lens, as well as a possible rotating stage for sequential imaging of multiple embryos at once.

Abstract: The project aims to design, test, and build a Universal Transducer Adapter (UTA) to use in conjunction with commercially available Ultrasound Systems and the Euclid™ Tier 1 Mini Access System designed by Houston Medical Robotics (HMR). The UTA is a much needed design improvement to the Euclid™ system because of the time and financial cost associated with redesigning the adapter for different commercially available ultrasound systems. Multiple design concepts will be presented and tested both in benchtop and animal models and the necessary design documentation will be completed throughout this process. Secondarily, the Euclid™ Tier 1 Mini Base will be ergonomically redesigned for customer ease of use.

Project 4: Lupus Biomarkers

Abstract: The goal of this project is to identify Lupus biomarkers that will be used in a sensor to track the progress of Lupus in a diagnosed patient. Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that often results in kidney failure. By tracking the proteins that are filtered through the kidney, it is possible to identify protein biomarkers that are involved in this kidney damage. In order to achieve this goal, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) will be run on urine samples of Lupus patients that will identify those protein biomarkers that have a statistically higher protein concentration compared to patients who are not diagnosed with Lupus. After these biomarkers are identified, a sensor can be created that will evaluate the concentration of these proteins in a urine sample. This sensor can be used in a at home diagnostic kit that can allow a patient to track the progress of their disease without going to the doctor. If the sensor produces alarming results, the patient can then visit the doctor to reevaluate their treatment plan.

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The Johns Hopkins Department of Biomedical Engineering offers several opportunities for undergraduates and graduate students to continue engineering the future of medicine by applying design principles to important medical and research challenges through team-based projects. Starting with the first-of-its-kind longitudinal BME Undergraduate Design Team program more than 25 years ago, our design programs have grown to include more than 50 design teams and 300 students each year, all focused on real-world healthcare and engineering challenges. In addition to BME Undergraduate Design Team, we now offer a design-based master’s program and several project-based design courses for BME students of all levels. Together, these programs support student innovation on projects related to clinical care, global health, artificial intelligence and machine learning, precision care medicine, and more.

Undergraduate Design Team Program

MSE in Bioengineering Innovation & Design

Project-Based Courses

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	Jul 01, 2024   2024-2025 Graduate Catalog (Catalog goes into effect at the start of the Fall 2024 semester)     2024-2025 Graduate Catalog (Catalog goes into effect at the start of the Fall 2024 semester) | Cullen College of Engineering    > Department of Biomedical Engineering    > Biomedical Engineering, PhD In addition to continued study of a broad range of engineering fundamentals, candidates for the doctoral degree enjoy intensive exposure to a specific field of engineering research. Individual research is the major focal point for these students, who are expected to expand the frontiers of knowledge in their area of endeavor. Moreover, candidates learn and experience the general philosophy, methods, and concepts of research and scholarly inquiry, so that they may contribute after graduation to substantive issues completely unrelated to their doctoral research. Please visit the Biomedical Engineering website for more information. Admission Requirements The graduate programs are open to all qualified individuals with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Masters of Science (M.S.) in Biomedical Engineering or related field. Selection of an advisor is critical to completing the degree and therefore should be done as soon as possible. If a student is admitted to the Ph.D. program without an advisor, an advisor will not be assigned to them. Students must meet or exceed these requirements in order for their application to be reviewed. B.S. Degree: Biomedical Engineering or related field GPA: 3.00/4.00 on last 60 hours or Graduate hours if hold MS degree Recommended GRE*: (Current scale) Q-159, V-150 (Prior scale) Q-750, V-450 (International Applicants) TOEFL: PBT- 580, CBT- 236, IBT- 92 (International Applicants) IELTS: 7.0 (International Applicants) DuoLingo: 105 *These scores reflect those of a competitive applicant but admission into our program is based on a holistic review of your application. Course Requirements Upon admission, students with degrees in related fields will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may be required to take additional leveling courses. These leveling courses do not count towards the graduate degree. Generally, every graduate student should have taken: 2 years of Calculus (through differential equations) 1 year of Engineering Physics (calculus based physics) 1 year of Biology 1 year of Chemistry Acceptance into the program is based on a competitive combination of academic background, GRE scores, recommendation letters, resume, and the statement of purpose. The Checklists below list all requirements for the Application Submission: Applicant Checklist UH Graduate School Application Application Fee Official Transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended (Scanned copies of official transcripts can be uploaded as PDF files and may be used to make admission decisions. If admitted, however, you will not be able to enroll without the official transcript(s) showing undergraduate degree conferral on file.) GRE scores (University code is 6870) Statement of Purpose (Upload into Application) Resume/CV (Upload into Application) 3 Letters of Recommendation (Submit emails within the Application and forms will be sent to Recommenders) International applications have additional documentation requirements, including fulfilling English language proficiency requirements with either degree completion or submitted test scores. For more information, visit the International Graduate Students website. Note: When preparing your Resume/CV and Personal Statement for submission, please be sure to highlight your past research, current research interests, and UH Biomedical Engineering faculty that you are interested in working with. There is no prompt or length requirement for the statement of purpose. For more information about the Graduate School Admissions, please visit How to Apply to the UH Graduate School . Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (with prior M.S. Degree) Credit hours required for this degree: 54.0 The program requires a minimum of 54 credit hours of approved graduate work distributed as follows: One (1) math course (beyond M.S. level):   BIOE 6300 - Mathematical Methods in Biomedical Engineering Credit Hours: 3.0 One (1) core course:   BIOE 6350 - Genomic and Proteomic Engineering Credit Hours: 3.0 Six (2) elective courses Eighteen (30) research credits Twelve (12) dissertation credits BIOE 6111 - Graduate Bioengineering Seminar Credit Hours: 1.0 (required with research enrollment) The elective courses must be relevant to the student’s research and approved by their advisor. Five of the eight elective courses must be taken within the BIOE department (effective Fall 2016). Courses taken outside of the department for elective credit must have previously been approved by the department. Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (directly from Undergraduate) Credit hours required for this degree: 72.0 The program requires a minimum of 72 credit hours of approved graduate work distributed as follows: Two (2) math courses:   BIOE 6300 - Mathematical Methods in Biomedical Engineering Credit Hours: 3.0 and approved MATH elective One (1) statistics course   BIOE 6301 - Statistical Methods in Biomedical Engineering Credit Hours: 3.0 Four (4) elective courses Thirty six (36) research credits BIOE 6111 - Graduate Bioengineering Seminar Credit Hours: 1.0 One of the four elective courses must be taken within the BIOE department (effective Fall 2020). Courses taken outside of the department for elective credit must have previously been approved by the department. Degree Requirements The Seminar Course ( BIOE 6111   ) is not a traditional lecture/lab course. BIOE 6111 is a professional development opportunity aimed at engaging students outside of the classroom by bringing in professionals within the field as well as an opportunity for students to present their research endeavors. Students are required to enroll in ONE Seminar course per TERM as they are enrolled in research hours.  BIOE 6111 is a one credit course, but the credit does not count towards the overall credit hours. For example, if a student is completing their Masters and doing a Thesis, their credit hour total is 30. In adding BIOE 6111, at least once a term during their academic program, they will roughly have taken 32 credit hours. The additional 2 are from the Seminar courses and do not count towards the 30 credits needed to complete the degree but do count towards the overall semester credit count. Adding this One Credit Course to the Term Course Schedule can cause the student to enroll in 10 credits instead of the traditional 9. In this case, students can reduce their research credits by 1, so the total credit hours equal 9 or simply take an extra credit. Qualifying Exam: Doctoral students are eligible to sit for the Qualifying Exam after the second term of graduate studies. Doctoral students MUST complete the Qualifying Exam by the end of their fourth term, but traditionally complete it by the end of their third term. Students must confirm with the Graduate Advisor that they plan to complete their Qualifying Exam in a given term. The Qualifying Exam is administered orally and students must submit two abstracts (1) current research and (2) future research, one week prior to the exam. Notes, PowerPoint slides or electronic displays are prohibited . The Graduate Advisor will create the Qualifying Exam committee based on faculty availability and the student’s schedule. The committee will consist of at least four (4) members: candidate’s Research Advisor, Department Chair, and two (2) additional faculty members from the department. Additional faculty should represent the candidate’s research focus area and are primarily responsible for the examination of the candidate. The Research Advisor may ask questions but is expected to fulfill the advocate role for the candidate as he/she prepares for the examination. The Chair’s primary function is to ensure that there is consistency across all candidate qualifying examinations. Qualifying Exam Committees are coordinated by the Graduate Advisor. Students will be notified of the date and time of their Exam via email. Examinations are expected to span about 1 hour but may vary between 1 to 1.5 hours. The oral component will start with a general overview provided by the candidate on their research thrust area and prospective research project. Committee members will be given hard copies of the two abstracts (supplied by the Doctoral student). Determine student’s depth of understanding of the Biomedical Engineering graduate core. Assess student’s capacity to think critically and apply engineering tools to solve problems. Assess student’s capacity to integrate skills in an area of research in biology and/or biomedical engineering. A successful student will be knowledgeable, able to think critically, and demonstrate the ability to integrate and/or apply course information to topics pertinent to their research area. Pass : the candidate may continue in the PhD program, complete course work, and prepare to defend a prospectus. Fail : the candidate will be removed from the PhD program. A contingent plan may be developed to enter the Masters program, either thesis or non-thesis. The candidate may petition to retake the qualifying exam during which time he/she may be retained in the PhD program until the petition is resolved. If the petition is not accepted, he/she will be removed from the PhD program. If the petition is accepted, a continuation in the PhD program will be contingent upon results of a re- examination. The Qualifying Exam Score Sheet will be filled out and turned into the Graduate Advisor, so the results can be put into the students file. Formation of Dissertation Committee: the advisor as chair, at least two additional faculty members from the Biomedical Engineering Department, and at least one additional University of Houston tenure-track faculty (not from the Biomedical Engineering Department); at least one additional tenure-track faculty (not from the University of Houston); In total, you need a minimum of four tenure-track faculty members from the University of Houston and one tenure-track faculty member from outside the University of Houston. The Committee members must fill out the Committee Appointment Form with their acknowledgement that they will participate. The form must be submitted well before the proposal defense is scheduled since the committee must be approved by the Department and Dean’s Office prior to the defense. A student need not be enrolled while requesting to form a committee but must be enrolled when the defense takes place. If a Committee member is outside of the University of Houston, that member’s CV must be sent to the Graduate Advisor.  The Committee must be formed at least two weeks prior to the Prospectus. Prospectus: Doctoral students must complete their Prospectus at least one term before Graduation. A rough draft of a research proposal should be shown to the student’s research advisor for approval of content prior to scheduling the oral presentation. The oral presentation of the dissertation prospectus is made to the student’s Dissertation committee. Other interested members of the faculty are invited to attend the presentation but are encouraged to leave prior to the questioning by the dissertation committee. The student’s presentation should take advantage of appropriate audio and visual aids and should be limited to no more than 50 minutes. Copies of the written dissertation prospectus must be distributed to all members of the student’s dissertation committee no later than one week prior to the oral presentation. In the oral examination, the student is expected to defend their prospectus and justify that the proposed research is of the acceptable quality and magnitude consistent with quality doctoral education. Following the oral presentation of the research proposition, questions are welcomed from members of the departmental faculty. Following general questions, departmental faculty members other than those on the student’s dissertation committee are excused and the student’s dissertation committee and interested faculty from the student’s major will remain to ask questions of the candidate regarding his proposed research. Generally, the oral discussion of the dissertation prospectus is limited to three hours. After questioning, the candidate is excused from the room while the dissertation committee conducts its deliberations. The Prospectus Committee is comprised of the Dissertation Committee members that were listed on the approved Committee form. The decision regarding whether or not the dissertation prospectus is acceptable is the decision of the dissertation committee alone. The student’s dissertation committee conveys its evaluation of the acceptability of the dissertation prospectus to the chair of the departmental graduate committee by signing the Prospectus Approval Form . If the student’s dissertation prospectus is considered acceptable, the chair of the departmental graduate committee will recommend to the Graduate College that the student be advanced to PhD candidacy status. A re-examination may be scheduled and the entire process repeated, or The student may be removed from the doctoral program. The results of the dissertation prospectus presentation are conveyed to the student by the chair of the departmental graduate committee. Dissertation Defense: The student will coordinate their Defense date with their committee and Advisor. If a room needs to be reserved, the student can contact the Graduate Advisor. Results should be reported to the Graduate Advisor, either via email or in person. For example, in Fall 2014, all students planning to defend, had to have their defense completed by Friday, December 05. All information necessary for submission can be found on the Guide for Preparation of Theses/Dissertations page. Academic Policies University of Houston Academic Policies   Graduate Academic Policies: Cullen College of Engineering   Department Academic Policies: BIO Graduate Handbook   BIOE Graduate Policies BIOE 6300 - Math Methods in BME     BIOE 6301 - Stats Methods in BME     BIOE 6350 - Genomic and Proteomic Engineering     The Qualifying Exam must be completed at the end of the 3rd term, unless an exception has been approved by the Department Chair and Graduate Director. BIOE 6111    - Seminar is required every term for all PhD students enrolled in research hours, unless the student has received an exception from their PI, due to interference with their confirmed graduation date. Math Methods ( BIOE 6300   ) is the first required BIOE math course, and Stats Methods for BME ( BIOE 6301   ) is the required BIOE statistics course. Stats is generally offered in the fall, and Math Methods will be offered in the spring. Once you enroll in research and dissertation, respectively, you have to remain continuously enrolled in research and dissertation . All first term BIOE students may only take BIOE courses. Students who started in and after Fall 2016: Only 25% of your courses may be taken outside of the department. If the course has not previously been approved by the department as an elective, a petition for the course must be submitted and approved prior to the start of the term of intended enrollment. The petition must be approved by your PI and should include an explanation of why the course is relevant to your research. Petitions can be turned in to the Graduate Advisor. Students who started prior to Fall 2016: Please check with the Graduate Advisor regarding elective courses outside of the department. If the course has not previously been approved by the department as an elective, a petition for the course must be submitted and approved prior to the start of the term of intended enrollment. The petition must be approved by your PI and should include an explanation of why the course is relevant to your research. Petitions can be turned in to the Graduate Advisor. Transfer of Credits A student may transfer up to 6 hours of graduate-level work completed elsewhere or at the University of Houston upon the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies. The student will need to file a general petition within one term after admission to graduate program. Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) This average is on all courses attempted at the university during the graduate program.  Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or better in order to remain in good academic standing for the graduate program. Students who drop below a 3.0 cumulative GPA will be placed on Academic Warning. Failure to bring up the cumulative GPA to 3.0 in the following term may result in dismissal of the program. The cumulative GPA must be 3.0 or better at all times in order to maintain eligibility for assistantships or in-state tuition waivers when applicable. The cumulative GPA must be 3.0 or better at all times in order to receive the in-state tuition waiver.  If you do not meet this requirement, you will lose the scholarship and no longer be eligible for in-state tuition.  If you drop below the 3.0 GPA in the first term, you may not receive the 2nd installment of the scholarship. Outstanding Senior Spotlight: Sonia Bhaskaran by College of Engineering Communications June 07, 2024 Sonia Bhaskaran didn’t initially see herself as an engineer. Now, she’s graduating with a degree in biomedical engineering and planning to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroengineering at the University of Michigan.  She talks about how her research projects and diversifying her undergraduate experience helped her home in on her passion for the field.    What initially inspired you to pursue engineering?   In elementary and early middle school, I actually thought that engineering was the last thing I’d want to study — I had this idea that I would do desk work and calculations all day and never get to interact with other people. But the first time I joined an engineering competition team, I found out how much collaboration and teamwork and creative design went into engineering, and that made me want to pursue it.    What interested you about biomedical engineering?    Initially, I chose biomedical engineering because I was interested in biology and thought the combination would be really interesting and challenging. Throughout my time at UC Davis, seeing the kinds of research professors do and the clinical collaborations that biomedical engineers participate in have made me realize how much good I could do with my major. I’ve become much more interested in specific clinical applications of biomedical engineering, such as addressing neurological disorders and improving women’s healthcare.    Can you share a project or research experience that you found particularly rewarding?    Working on my senior design project has been a really amazing and impactful experience. When we brought our prototype to the UC Davis Medical Center to have our clients test it out, they invited a bunch of occupational therapists and nurses to come and see the device. It was really cool watching all of these health professionals try out something we'd built and talk about how they might be able to put it to use in the ICU. Coming after a week of spending hours in the BioInnovation Lab doing sterility testing for our device, and then hours more in the Diane Bryant Engineering Student Design Center making last-minute adjustments to our prototype, it was rewarding to finally see something come of our hard work.    The project as a whole has taught me a lot about working with professionals from completely different fields as well as collaborating with a large team and making sure everyone has a chance to contribute and give their input. We also got to learn a lot of machining skills along the way and even get trained in welding, which was daunting at first but has turned out to be a very cool experience!   Will you be pursuing a Ph.D. directly after graduation?    After graduation, I will pursue my Ph.D. in biomedical engineering at the University of Michigan. I’ll be on the neuroengineering track, and I’m hoping to work on a project related to neurostimulation or brain-computer interfaces.   What instructor has inspired you the most?    One of my favorite engineering professors is Marc Facciotti , professor of biomedical engineering. He was my professor for biology, biomaterials and the Biodesign Challenge. I also work with him in my role as co-president of the BioInnovation Group, a club he advises. Professor Facciotti, along with BioInnovation Lab Manager Andrew Yao, put a ton of time and effort into creating more opportunities for experiential learning and student-driven innovation. At the same time, he clearly cares about the well-being of the students he interacts with. He’s a great mentor, advocate and teacher, and I’m really grateful for everything he does for students.   What advice would you give to incoming students?    My biggest piece of advice would be to try and get a range of experiences throughout your time as an undergraduate. I think, especially in terms of the sort of specializations you develop within your area of study, it’s easy to just stick with the first thing you enjoy. But when you’re trying to decide what to do after college, it’s really helpful to have experienced a range of different areas.      It always feels so impossible to figure out what the right path for you is, but the more things you’ve tried out, the more you feel like you’re making an informed decision. Plus, it’s nice to know that there isn’t necessarily one single path that’s best — sometimes, you find that there are a lot of different topics that interest you.   Primary Category Calculate for all schools Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, how is the biomedical engineering program at wpi. I'm researching schools that have strong biomedical engineering programs, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) came up. Does anyone have any experience with their biomedical engineering program or know about its reputation in the industry? Are their research opportunities, internships, and job placement services good? Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has a reputable Biomedical Engineering (BME) program, known for its project-based learning approach and close-knit community. WPI emphasizes hands-on learning, allowing students to acquire real-world experience in their field. The BME curriculum at WPI provides an interdisciplinary approach, combining biology, engineering, and applied sciences. You'll take in-depth coursework in engineering and applicable life sciences like biochemistry, physiology, and cell biology. The interdisciplinary nature of the program prepares students for careers in a wide range of fields, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and bioinformatics. WPI's project-based learning approach involves major qualifying projects (MQPs), which allows you to work on challenging, real-world engineering problems. These projects often involve collaboration with outside organizations, industry partners, faculty researchers, or even other students. This hands-on work is advantageous for students not only to develop their skills, but it's also a great way to network within the biomedical engineering community. Research opportunities at WPI are extensive. Many faculty members in the BME program are involved in cutting-edge research, and there are numerous research labs and facilities on campus. You have the opportunity to work alongside faculty on topics such as tissue engineering, the development of implantable devices, and the application of computational methods to solve biological problems. As for internships and job placements, WPI offers a strong support system through its career development center. They provide career advising, internship and job search assistance, resume and interview preparation, and networking events to connect you with employers. WPI has developed strong connections with local and global companies, providing you with a host of internship opportunities to choose from. WPI's BME program is known for producing graduates who are well-equipped to enter the industry, academia, or pursue advanced degrees. The combination of hands-on experience gained by working on real-life projects, research opportunities with faculty, and WPI's commitment to providing ample internship and job search resources make it a great option for pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering. About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field. Artificial intelligence in healthcare Getty Images/ Health AI, Biomedical Discovery Projects Win Grant Funding Depaul university and rosalind franklin university of science and medicine are funding three research projects looking at ai, biomedical discovery, and healthcare.. Shania Kennedy, Assistant Editor DePaul University and Rosalind Franklin University of Science and Medicine have announced funding for three interdisciplinary research projects aimed at leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to advance human health. The projects will combine AI, machine learning (ML), robotics, geography, and biology to investigate how advanced technologies can positively impact biomedical discovery and healthcare, according to the press release. The first project sets out to predict and prevent falls and related injuries among patients and members of the military through the use of GPS mapping and robotic sensors. “We can tell a lot about a person’s health from how they walk,” said Sungsoon (Julie) Hwang, PhD, professor of geography at DePaul, who is collaborating with robotics and data science experts to track a person’s gait using GPS and sensors. In DePaul’s robotics and AI lab, researchers use Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) to track whether a person is walking, sitting, or falling using a wearable exoskeleton of sensors that measure movement by detecting the direction of gravity and rotational speeds. “Predicting harmful walking patterns and preventing falls has implications for people in a health care setting and members of the military deployed in the field,” explained Muhammad Umer Huzaifa, assistant professor of Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering at DePaul. DePaul researchers will pursue the project with a team from the Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research at Rosalind Franklin, where investigators will integrate GPS and IMU data using ML to help predict where falls and injuries could occur in order to help prevent them. “Our movements create patterns, and we want to identify distinct patterns using machine learning to help assess an individual's current health, especially those who are at risk,” said Ilyas Ustun, PhD, director of the Center for Data Science at DePaul.  The second project will use ML to investigate neurons in the brainstem that impact swallowing and breathing. “Within the brainstem, neurons are not clearly differentiated,” said Jacob Furst, PhD, director of the School of Computing at DePaul. “Our project will look for genetic signatures that may differentiate the cells when there is no obvious physical difference.” Using high resolution genome-wide data from the brains of adult mice, the researchers will use ML to identify clusters and borders within brainstem neurons, patterns which will help them generate insights into apnea, speech disorders, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. “There is so much data being generated in the life sciences that it can be difficult to look for patterns to discover key biological insights,” said Thiru Ramaraj, PhD, an assistant professor of bioinformatics at DePaul. “It’s both challenging and exciting to apply computational techniques to problems that have a real impact on health.” The final project will focus on diagnosing neurological disorders through AI movement patterns. Using cloud computing and ML, combined with x-ray and laser data from the movement of mice with Parkinson’s, researchers will make “movies” that can be used to gain insights into movement patterns. “Hollywood movies are usually filmed at 24 frames a second, but atoms move at a speed closer to a billion frames a second,” explained Eric Landahl​, PhD, a physics professor at DePaul leading the project. Using the wealth of data generated by these films, the research teams hope to develop a model that can predict neurological disorders before they’re visible to a trained medical professional. These are the latest projects announced recently that seek to use AI and ML to bolster medical research and discovery. Last week, researchers from Johns Hopkins University shared that they developed ML algorithms that can detect the early warning signs of delirium and predict which patients will be at high risk of delirium at any point during an ICU stay. Despite delirium’s potentially significant impact on health outcomes, many effective anti-delirium interventions, such as care bundles, earlier-than-usual physical and occupational therapy, and medication changes, are not used for every patient due to limited time and resources, alongside unpredictable patient needs, the researchers noted. To help predict the condition and improve outcomes, the research team developed two prediction algorithms using data from 200,000 ICU stays from 208 US hospitals. The first, a static model, used a snapshot of these data, while the second, a dynamic model, monitored data over days and hours. Both models achieved high performance, with the static model able to predict delirium-prone patients up to 78.5 percent of the time, and the dynamic model able to do so up to 90 percent of the time. How Big Data Analytics Can Support Preventive Health Artificial Intelligence Model Detects Parkinson’s From Breathing Patterns Mount Sinai Spin-Off Develops AI Tool to Detect Early-Stage Parkinson’s Related Resources Enabling High-Quality Healthcare And Outcomes With Better Analytics –Teradata Dig Deeper on Artificial intelligence in healthcare Deep brain stimulation atlas, AI may personalize Parkinson’s treatment Interpretable machine learning helps clinicians classify EEG anomalies Machine learning approach may help tailor precision medicine treatments ML Model Outperforms Standard Methods for Detecting Heart Attacks UW Health nurses are piloting a generative AI tool that drafts responses to patient messages to improve clinical efficiency ... Industry stakeholders are working with DirectTrust to create a data standard for secure cloud fax to address health data exchange... A new HHS final rule outlines information blocking disincentives for healthcare providers across several CMS programs, including ... Overview of Biomedical Engineering Graduate Education Landscape Published: 26 June 2024 Cite this article Jennifer R. Amos 1 , Katherine E. Reuther 2 , 4 & Mia K. Markey 3   37 Accesses Explore all metrics Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript. Introduction Graduate education in biomedical engineering has existed longer than most undergraduate programs [ 1 ]. However, there is a lack of publications in the graduate education space with a Google Scholar search showing 256 undergraduate education-focused articles in biomedical engineering or bioengineering published between 2019-2023 and only 7 graduate education-focused articles in biomedical engineering or bioengineering in the same period. At the same time, national reports of graduates produced over 2019-2022 showed a 3-year average of 2777 graduates in biomedical engineering at the MS level (4% of all MS engineering graduates) and a 3-year average of 1062 at the Ph.D. level (8% of all Ph.D. engineering graduates) with an average 10% growth per year [ 2 ]. In response to this need for publication in the graduate educational space for biomedical engineering, Biomedical Engineering Education announced a special call for papers focused on graduate education in biomedical engineering. Graduate education was broadly defined as formal education, such as masters and doctoral programs, and also broader topics that surround graduate or postdoctoral training. The guest editors suggested topics of interest including graduate curricular elements, graduate program types, graduate professional and psychosocial support programs, admissions and promotion criteria, career placements, bridge programs or lifelong learning programs for alumni, mentoring programs, programs that develop graduate diversity, inclusion, and equity culture, extracurricular activities, and research or professional development training programs. This Special Issue presents recent innovations in these topics as highlighted below. Uncovering Hidden Curriculum In recent years, graduate education in biomedical engineering has seen a transformative shift, with an increasing emphasis on comprehensive professional development and the cultivation of skills necessary for success in both academia and industry [ 3 , 4 ]. Formalizing these aspects of graduate student education, as a supplement to technical coursework and research experiences, is motivated by the needs and aspirations of graduate students. “Hidden curriculum”, encompassing the unspoken or implicit aspects of a student’s education not specifically addressed in formal instruction, is evident in higher education, including for graduate studies in biomedical engineering. These students often come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and are navigating a new environment while also balancing other academic demands. The hidden curriculum, if not unmasked, has the potential to influence a student’s learning experience and professional identity, contributing to potential inequity and diminished feelings of belonging [ 5 ]. Several papers introduce coursework that develop graduate students' research, interdisciplinary, and professional development skills [ 6 , 7 , 8 ] and attempt to address and overcome “hidden curriculum” observed in biomedical engineering educational environments. Teaching experience continues to be a cornerstone of many graduate programs, allowing graduate students to gain valuable experience in instruction and mentoring while also enhancing their communication skills and fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Across higher education, there has also been a growing focus on updating teaching practices to foster a more inclusive and equitable learning environment. Jaimes et al. [ 9 ] discusses the integration of graduate students alongside faculty in creating and implementing inclusive teaching concepts across the biomedical engineering curricula. It is possible that these types of teaching experiences may have the added benefit of enabling and empowering graduate students to uncover aspects of the observed hidden curriculum for themselves and their peers. Unique Areas for Focus in BME Graduate Programs Several niche topics in graduate education also emerged, including the need for graduate training in Responsible Conduct of Research, convergence of research approaches, and developing trainees’ understanding of the regulatory agency landscape. Topics related to the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) are often not covered in undergraduate education yet they are an expectation of graduate-level training according to national funding agencies including the NSF [ 10 ] and NIH [ 11 ] In Kreeger et. al. [ 7 ], requirements and formats for instruction of RCR topics are discussed along with exciting outcomes that promote additional benefits for graduate training. Another featured article asserts the importance of including a convergence training framework for graduate students to help them develop their skills and abilities to collaborate across multiple fields to solve a problem where teammates may come from very distinct fields (e.g., computer science, biological sciences, engineering) [ 12 ]. This training is presented as a case study of a pilot program that leveraged training in artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches to solving biological research questions. Lerner et.al.[ 13 ] aims to address the lack of successful translation of medical devices by sharing a curriculum to train graduate students in the regulatory landscape including business environment consideration, regulatory obligations, and the protection of intellectual property. These papers show a variety of approaches including formal coursework and workshop approaches that any graduate program could leverage to enhance the learning outcomes for trainees. International Biomedical Engineering Graduate Education Biomedical engineering education outside of the United States is increasingly recognized, with many countries acknowledging the pivotal role of this field in advancing healthcare in their regions. International collaborations with US institutions, including student exchanges and faculty collaborations, have also fostered a global perspective for biomedical engineering students. One article highlights the opportunity to partner globally and spread innovations to graduate education in Nigeria [ 14 ] though we have much to learn from other international institutions and look forward to more submissions in this area. Future Directions The articles published in this Special Issue form a strong base for increasing scholarly attention on identifying and disseminating effective practices in biomedical engineering graduate education. However, there remain many opportunities to advance graduate education that would be of great interest to the readership of this journal. For example, comparisons of different approaches to common graduate curricular elements, such as physiology, could facilitate programs in adopting practices most likely to meet their students’ needs. Transitions in and out of graduate training are also key topics for future work. Many students seek opportunities for integrated bachelors-masters degree programs, so it would be helpful to know more about the most beneficial structures and practices for such programs. In general, postbaccalaureate and summer bridge programs can provide additional pathways to graduate education and thereby broaden participation in postgraduate training. A deeper understanding of the role of postbaccalaureate and summer bridge programs specifically in biomedical engineering would advance our field. Likewise, postdoctoral training is essential preparation for future faculty. More systematic study of impactful training practices could increase equity in persistence from graduate education to postdoctoral training to early career faculty for those interested in an academic career. An important factor in a graduate student’s educational experience is the mentorship received from faculty [ 15 ]. Defining effective relationships and interactions between faculty and their graduate students, such as incorporating inclusive behaviors, could contribute to unveiling the hidden curriculum and warrants further progress and attention. As a final example, reports on lifelong learning programs for alumni and mechanisms for alumni to contribute to the educational environment of current graduate trainees would benefit the biomedical engineering education community. Data availability Not Applicable. Linsenmeier RA, Saterbak A. Fifty years of biomedical engineering undergraduate education. Ann Biomed Eng. 2020;48(6):1590–615. Article   PubMed   Google Scholar   American Society for Engineering Education. (2023). Profiles of engineering and engineering technology, 2023. Washington, DC. DiMeo AJ, Afamefuna CJ, Ward SJ, Weilerstein P, Caro E, Germer M, Carroll AJ. Biomedical engineering professional skills development: the RADx SM tech impact on graduates and faculty. IEEE Open J Eng Med Biol. 2021;2:163–9. Wickramasinghe, L. C., Borger, J. G. (2020). The new age of the PhD: transforming the PhD from a product to a process. J Life Sci. 2(1). https://www.journaloflifesciences.org/archives/1521/editorial-the-new-age-of-the-phd-transforming-the-phd-from-a-product-to-a-process.htm# Sellers V, Villanueva Alarcón I. From message to strategy: a pathways approach to characterize the hidden curriculum in engineering education. Studies Eng Educ. 2023. https://doi.org/10.21061/see.113 . Article   Google Scholar   Acuña S. A practical research methods course that teaches how to be a successful biomedical engineering graduate student. Biomed Eng Educ. 2024;20:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43683-024-00135-9 . Kreeger PK. Rethinking the responsible conduct of research (RCR) course. Biomed Eng Educ. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43683-023-00131-5 . Lightsey S, Dill M, Temples M, Yeater T, Furtney S. Leveraging near-peer and collaborative learning for a graduate student-led cell culture workshop. Biomed Eng Educ. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43683-023-00132-4 . Jaimes P, Bottorff E, Hopper T, Jilberto J, King J, Wall M, Pinder-Grover T. The IT-BME project: integrating inclusive teaching in biomedical engineering through faculty/graduate partnerships. Biomed Eng Educ. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43683-024-00137-7 . NSF Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research https://www.nsf.gov/od/recr.jsp Accessed 21 March 2024. NIH FY 2022 Updated guidance: requirement for instruction in the responsible conduct of research https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-22-055.html Accessed 21 March 2024. Zylla JL, Bomgni AB, Sani RK, Subramaniam M, Lushbough C, Winter R, Gnimpieba EZ. Convergence research and training in computational bioengineering: a case study on AI/ML-driven biofilm–material interaction discovery. Biomed Eng Educ. 2024;20:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43683-024-00146-6 . Adamo JE, Keegan EL, Boger JW, Lerner AL. Just-in-time education of FDA regulation and protection of intellectual property for medical products: a course review after our first 10 years. Biomed Eng Educ. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43683-024-00134-w . Casserly P, Dare A, Onuh J, Baah W, Taylor A. Leveraging an open-access digital design notebook for graduate biomedical engineering education in Nigeria. Biomed Eng Educ. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43683-024-00136-8 . Lechuga VM. Faculty-graduate student mentoring relationships: mentors’ perceived roles and responsibilities. Higher Educ. 2011;62:757–71. Download references Author information Authors and affiliations. Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, USA Jennifer R. Amos Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA Katherine E. Reuther Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA Mia K. Markey Center for Health, Devices and Technology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar Corresponding author Correspondence to Jennifer R. Amos . Rights and permissions Reprints and permissions About this article Amos, J.R., Reuther, K.E. & Markey, M.K. Overview of Biomedical Engineering Graduate Education Landscape. Biomed Eng Education (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43683-024-00155-5 Download citation Published : 26 June 2024 DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s43683-024-00155-5 Share this article Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative Find a journal Publish with us Track your research Penn State | College of Engineering   LionGlass was one of four Penn State projects to receive additional funding to support commercialization. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons GAP funding paves the way for research to move from lab to market Four projects awarded funding from the penn state research foundation. May 21, 2024 Editor’s note: A version of this article was first published on Penn State News .   UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Four projects were recently awarded Penn State Commercialization GAP funding. The GAP Fund, formerly known as the Fund for Innovation, aims to accelerate the development of promising research across the University by closing the funding gaps between proof-of-concept research and readiness for commercialization.   “We are thrilled to support such innovative research that can make the transition from lab to market, creating a wave of impact locally and globally,” said Andrew Read, senior vice president for research at Penn State and president of the Penn State Research Foundation that provides GAP grants. “We want to congratulate all of the winners and encourage our research community to take advantage of opportunities, such as the GAP Fund, to strengthen the impact of their research.”  Out of 24 proposals, four projects were awarded grants, with one project receiving matching funds from the College of Medicine.    Here are this year’s funded projects with summaries:   “Recycling and Cullet Compatibility of LionGlass ” — John Mauro , the Dorothy Pate Enright Professor of Materials Science and Engineering   The global glass industry produces over 86 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. More than 90% of this carbon footprint results from the production of soda lime silicate glass. There is an unmet need to develop a new type of glass that can ultimately lead to sustainable glass. Mauro’s proposal addresses questions related to recycling LionGlass, as well as its compatibility as cullet, which is broken glass byproduct made during manufacturing that can be applied in the production of other products. The research questions are how to efficiently sort LionGlass versus more traditional soda lime silicate glass cullet in consumer recycling streams, and how to design a soda lime cullet-compatible version of LionGlass to ease glass manufacturers’ transition to LionGlass.   “Safe and sustainable replacements for Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) coatings on textiles” — Jeffrey Catchmark , professor of agricultural and biological engineering and of bioethics   Materials such as natural and synthetic textiles and fabrics used to make numerous everyday products such as clothing, carpets, furniture and other household, automotive and military products have been substantially improved using fluorine-containing fluorocarbon chemicals for their superhydrophilicity. However, these materials are nonbiodegradable and have a significant environmental polluting effect that represents a threat to human, animal and plant health.    Catchmark proposed a treatment using sustainable, non-toxic, biodegradable hydrocarbon surfactants to replace fluorocarbons. The treatment, which he said employs chemistries safe enough to consume or be applied directly to the skin, has been successfully demonstrated on cotton and nylon and has created superhydrophobic surfaces that are also oil resistant. The treatment is also more cost effective than fluorocarbons.   “Citrate-based Intracanalicular Implants for Treatment of Cataract Surgery Induced Inflammation” — Seth Pantanelli, professor of ophthalmology, and Yan Su , assistant research professor of biomedical engineering   The high and increasing instance of cataract surgery, the most performed invasive ambulatory procedure in the United States with 3.7 million surgeries annually, necessitates effective methods of treating post-operative inflammation and microbial infection to ensure patient satisfaction.   Pantanelli and Su’s proposal focused on an intracanalicular implant solution, an implant inserted into a small passageway in the eye, to mitigate the complications of post-cataract surgery. It concurrently releases anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-infectious agents for the four-week treatment window, fully degrading within eight weeks. This post-cataract surgery complication prevention and treatment received matching support from the College of Medicine’s Center for Medical Innovation.   “Proof-of-Concept Development of Biocompatible and Biodegradable Synthetic Brochosomes” — Tak Sing Wong, professor of mechanical engineering and of  biomedical engineering   Titanium dioxide (TiO2) makes a pigment that imparts whiteness and opacity to a wide range of products, including cosmetics, paints, coatings, plastics, paper and inks. However, the use of TiO2 has been banned in Europe because it can cause DNA damage. This ban could lead to a global impact in a billion-dollar market.   Wong has proposed the use of biodegradable and biocompatible polymers to synthesize synthetic brochosomes intricately structured microscopic granules secreted by leafhoppers and typically found on their body surface and, more rarely, eggs and how to engineer their optical scattering properties to create whitening agents that outperform titanium dioxide.   “Bringing breakthrough technology from the lab to the market is essential to creating tangible societal impact and improving people's lives,” Wong said.   The GAP funding program is overseen by the Office of Technology Management — which is responsible for managing, protecting and licensing the intellectual property of faculty, graduate students and staff at all Penn State locations. The Penn State Research Foundation provides most of the GAP grants. Grants of up to $75,000 per team, per year, can be requested, and additional funding may be issued on a case-by-case basis from areas such as the Office of Senior Vice President for Research. Colleges and external partners are invited to match and support projects.  The program also goes beyond financial support. Principal investigators have opportunities to network with experienced mentors, advisers and industry partners who can provide guidance and expertise throughout the commercialization journey.   “I am incredibly grateful to be practicing at an institution that has all of the resources required to get a new idea from bench to bedside,” said Pantanelli, who is also the vice chair of clinical research in the Department of Ophthalmology at Penn State Health.  To learn more about the RFP process, visit the Penn State Research website . The next round of submissions will open in fall 2024 for 2025 funding. For questions, email [email protected] or call the Office of Technology Management at 814-865-6277. 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COMMENTS Biomedical engineering Biomedical engineering is a branch of engineering that applies principles and design concepts of engineering to healthcare. Biomedical engineers deal with medical devices such as imaging equipment ... Research Our Department has strong associations with many of Columbia University's other leading departments and research institutions. The Columbia University Department of Biomedical Engineering hosts an exceptional range of cutting-edge and world-class research laboratories housed in over 50,000 square feet of space in the Morningside Heights and ... Research At IMES, we lead groundbreaking research that harnesses the power of science and engineering to improve human health. Our work comprises (but is not limited to) eight key areas: biomaterials science, drug delivery, genomics and biomedical informatics, computational medicine/clinical informatics, structural and functional imaging, regenerative medicine/tissue engineering, medical devices, and ... BME Project Gallery Translational Tissue Engineering Center. See More. Johns Hopkins Biomedical Engineering. Contact BME. Homewood Campus. 3400 N. Charles StreetWyman Park BuildingSuite 400 WestBaltimore, MD 21218. (410) 516-8120. East Baltimore Campus. 720 Rutland AvenueBaltimore, MD 21205. Current Projects Biomedical Engineering—MS, PhD; Biomedical Engineering Accelerated Master's Program; Certificates; Departmental Courses; Advising; Seminars; Funding Opportunities; Research. Current Projects; Biomedical Optics and Ultrasound; Biosensors and Biomedical Instrumentation; Cardiovascular Engineering; Microdevices; Tissue Engineering and ... Home Overview. Research on Biomedical Engineering is an online, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to all fields of Biomedical Engineering. Multidisciplinary in nature, catering to readers and authors interested in developing tools based on engineering and physical sciences to solve biological and medical problems. Publishes Original Research Articles ... BMC Biomedical Engineering: a home for all biomedical engineering research This editorial accompanies the launch of BMC Biomedical Engineering, a new open access, peer-reviewed journal within the BMC series, which seeks to publish articles on all aspects of biomedical engineering.As one of the first engineering journals within the BMC series portfolio, it will support and complement existing biomedical communities, but at the same time, it will provide an open access ... Research Research. The Meinig School is building research and educational programs around a vision that a quantitative understanding of the human body can be used as a foundation for the rational design of therapies, molecules, devices, and diagnostic procedures to improve human health. Integral to the School's research effort are undergraduate and ... Research Areas Learn more about our seven focus areas: Biomedical Data Science. Extract knowledge from biomedical datasets of all sizes to understand and solve health-related problems. Learn More. Computational Medicine. Generate solutions in personalized medicine by building and utilizing computational models of health and disease. Undergraduate Research More than 95% of BME students pursue research projects in one of Johns Hopkins' 3,000 basic science and clinical laboratories. Working side-by-side with our leading scientists, engineers, and clinicians, students gain experience building and applying the technologies that will advance medical knowledge and improve the delivery of healthcare. IDEAS Projects With more than 40 active projects, IDEAS has collaborated with 18 NIH Institutes and Centers on technology and methodology development projects. These collaborations support NIH research initiatives, including: systems biology, genomics, proteomics, biomedical imaging, precision medicine, brain, and neuroscience. In-house capabilities and ... Research Focus Areas Giving to the Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering. Private support gives the Coulter Department the resources to take the lead in new initiatives, to weather cyclical changes in support from government, and to make long-term investments in constantly changing technology, often before needs or opportunities are recognized by others. Research Research. Engineers and applied scientists aim to solve complicated problems arising from societal needs and concerns, that's our great strength. Biological engineers address these problems by fusing quantitative, integrative, systems-oriented analysis and design approaches together with cutting-edge bioscience. Until recently, reliable ... (PDF) Biomedical engineering advances: A review of innovations in Abstract. Engineering has e merged as a dynamic and transformative field, driving revolutionary changes in healthcare and. significantly impacting patient outcomes. This review explores recent ... Student Biomedical Engineering Projects with Real-world Connections Student Biomedical Engineering Projects with Real-world Connections. By Amy Cowen on November 10, 2017 10:00 AM. November 14 is World Diabetes Day and a great time to have conversations with students about diabetes, a disease which affects more than 400 million people around the world. Talking about biomedical engineering and the development of ... Biomedical Engineering Research Guide This guide highlights resources for students in biomedical engineering and highlights resources useful for senior projects and master's research. For research help, please contact Sarah Lester, Engineering Librarian or use the library's 24/7 chat help. Biomedical Engineering Biomedical Engineering. Code: ENBM. Sponsored by: Projects that aim to improve human health and longevity by translating novel discoveries in the biomedical sciences into effective activities and tools for clinical and public health use. Bi-directional in concept, projects can be those developed through basic research moving toward clinical ... 2023 BESIP Projects Zaghloul - 2023. Engineering approaches involving computational and signal to develop insights into the neural code of the human brain. Intern Name: William Noll. The NIBIB-sponsored Biomedical Engineering Summer Internship Program (BESIP) is for undergraduate biomedical engineering students who have completed their junior year of college. Research Areas Biomedical & Biological Imaging. We aim to solve important basic science and clinical issues by developing new technologies to complement the already strong research and clinical imaging activities in our community. Colored light investigated to control irregular heartbeat noninvasively. Researchers will use fruit flies to study a noninvasive ... 10 Top Trends in Bioengineering in 2020 Bioengineers are at the forefront of scientific discovery, creating innovative medical devices, vaccines, disease management products, robots, and algorithms that improve human health around the world. Below are ten of the hottest bioengineering R&D trends happening this decade. 1. Tissue Engineering. Research at Biomedical Engineering Micro and Nanoengineering in Medicine (MiNiMedicine) Laboratory. Research conducted in the laboratory focuses on elucidating cell-microenvironment interactions by creating defined biomimetic platforms, and therefore regulating cell fates for regenerative medicine and engineering microscale physiologically relevant systems, or tissue chips for understanding, diagnosis and treatment of human ... Capstone Projects The Capstone Project is intended to culminate the skills of the BME undergraduate degree. The students are required to take the course and complete the project their senior year. ... Cullen College of Engineering Department of Biomedical Engineering Science & Engineering Research Center (SERC - Building 545) 2nd Floor 3517 Cullen Blvd, Room ... BME Design See More. Johns Hopkins Biomedical Engineering. Contact BME. Homewood Campus. 3400 N. Charles StreetWyman Park BuildingSuite 400 WestBaltimore, MD 21218. (410) 516-8120. East Baltimore Campus. 720 Rutland AvenueBaltimore, MD 21205. (410) 955-3132. Program: Biomedical Engineering, PhD B.S. Degree: Biomedical Engineering or related field; GPA: 3.00/4.00 on last 60 hours or Graduate hours if hold MS degree; Recommended GRE*: (Current scale) Q-159, V-150 (Prior scale) Q-750, V-450 ... component will start with a general overview provided by the candidate on their research thrust area and prospective research project. Outstanding Senior Spotlight: Sonia Bhaskaran Initially, I chose biomedical engineering because I was interested in biology and thought the combination would be really interesting and challenging. Throughout my time at UC Davis, seeing the kinds of research professors do and the clinical collaborations that biomedical engineers participate in have made me realize how much good I could do ... How is the biomedical engineering program at WPI? Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has a reputable Biomedical Engineering (BME) program, known for its project-based learning approach and close-knit community. WPI emphasizes hands-on learning, allowing students to acquire real-world experience in their field. The BME curriculum at WPI provides an interdisciplinary approach, combining biology, engineering, and applied sciences. Health AI, Biomedical Discovery Projects Win Grant Funding Using the wealth of data generated by these films, the research teams hope to develop a model that can predict neurological disorders before they're visible to a trained medical professional. These are the latest projects announced recently that seek to use AI and ML to bolster medical research and discovery. Overview of Biomedical Engineering Graduate Education Landscape In recent years, graduate education in biomedical engineering has seen a transformative shift, with an increasing emphasis on comprehensive professional development and the cultivation of skills necessary for success in both academia and industry [3, 4].Formalizing these aspects of graduate student education, as a supplement to technical coursework and research experiences, is motivated by the ... GAP funding paves the way for research to move from lab to market "Proof-of-Concept Development of Biocompatible and Biodegradable Synthetic Brochosomes" — Tak Sing Wong, professor of mechanical engineering and of biomedical engineering Titanium dioxide (TiO2) makes a pigment that imparts whiteness and opacity to a wide range of products, including cosmetics, paints, coatings, plastics, paper and inks. assignment essay homework paper phd report resume review speech thesis