Biomaterials, Mechanics, and Tissue Engineering
Biomaterials, Mechanics, and Tissue Engineering (BMT) focuses on understanding, characterizing, and modulating the behavior of cells, tissues, and/or biomaterials for both research and clinical applications. This includes the design of novel drug delivery systems, creation of biomimetic research models, and the development of artificial tissues or organs that perform, augment, or replace a natural function. Coursework complements the research training of graduate students and covers physiology, cell biology, material science, mechanics, and biophysics.
Research Topics
BMT faculty conduct interdisciplinary research employing technologies that combine the principles of life science, biomaterial and biomechanical engineering, and clinical care. Examples include:
- Mechanistic investigations into peripheral nerve regeneration, and bioelectronic therapies for modulation of systemic disease
- Exploring the neuro-mechanical underpinnings of lower limb impairments after stroke, with the goal of developing new clinical interventions
- Investigating how both the biochemical and biophysical environment of tissues modulates critical events involved in embryonic development and wound healing
- Employing state of the art imaging techniques to investigate the role of vascularity, mechanotransduction and other signals in the repair of fractures and spinal cord injuries.
- Leveraging single-cell genomics, tissue biomechanics, and imaging to study cervical remodeling and gain insights into how to ensure maternal-fetal health
Faculty
Professor
- Carroll Lab
- Research Interests: Cancer, cell polarity, developmental biology, morphogenesis, stem/progenitor cells, tissue engineering and regeneration
Assistant Professor
- Chan Lab
- Research Interests: Metastasis, Breast Cancer, Tumor Immunology, Immunotherapy
Professor
- Cheng Lab
- Research Interests: Nerve regeneration; long nerve gap repair; nerve-machine interface
Professor
- Hsai Lab
- Research Interests: Heart-lung interaction; lung morphometry; structure-function correlation of lung growth
Professor
- Huang Lab
- Research Interests: Colorectal cancer, tumor microenvironment, regeneration, cancer stem cells
Professor
- Levi Lab
- Research Interests: Cell fate, wound healing, muscle fibrosis, heterotopic ossification, injury response
Professor
- Mahendroo Lab
- Research Interests: Parturition (the process of labor); cervical ripening; male and female reproductive biology
Professor
- Hsai Lab
- Research Interests: Heart, lung, and perfusion preservation, magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Professor
- Petroll Lab
- Research Interests: Cell motility and mechanics, corneal repair and regeneration, in-vivo confocal imaging
Assistant Professor
- Rizwan Lab
- Research Interests: Biomaterials, hydrogels, tissue engineering, stem cells, regenerative medicine, drug delivery
Professor
- Sharma Lab
- Research Interests: Intermediary Metabolism in Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases, Hyperpolarized Carbon-13 Metabolic Imaging, Metabolomics in the Heart, Lung, and Perfusion Preservation, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) based Metabolomics
Assistant Professor
- Tatara Lab
- Research Interests: Biomaterials, immunoengineering, infection tissue engineering
Associate Members
These faculty members do not accept graduate students. They participate in teaching, co-mentoring, exam and dissertation committees, and all other program activities.
Professor Emeritus
- Research Interests: Biomaterials; circulatory assist devices
Professor
- Research Interests: Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, biomaterials, biomechanics, pediatric airway disorders
Professor
- Research Interests: Neural cardiovascular control during exercise; reflex dysfunction in heart failure; reflex dysfunction in hypertension
Assistant Professor
- Research Interests: Biomaterial grafts, coatings and scaffolds; finite element analysis; polymer synthesis; bioresorbable polymer characterization
