Track Director: Larry Cook, Ph.D.
Bioengineering brings together engineers, physicists, biologists and chemists engaged in the development of methodology for the examination of biological structure and function through imaging. Research encompasses magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonances spectroscopy, and image processing and analysis. Biomedical imaging methods open new ways to see the body's inner workings, measure biological functions, and evaluate cellular and molecular events using less invasive procedures.
Bimolecular imaging can record multiple molecules in cellular processes in three dimensions over time — an n-dimensional view that eclipses the capabilities of traditional microscopy and test-tube assays. Diagnostic imaging of tissues and organs has been a field of rapid advances, especially with the modalities of ultrasound, nuclear medicine, nuclear magnetic resonance and spectroscopy, X ray/CT, bioelectric, optical, endoscopic, and visualization strategies.
Emphasis continues to be on minimizing invasiveness, image and processing time, costs, and patient discomfort, and maximizing and easily interpreting data display. It requires exceptional collaborations of bioengineers, physicians, physiologists, physicists, chemists, biologists, mathematicians, and computer scientists.
Track Director: Xue-Wen Chen, Ph.D.
Bioinformatics generally describes the science of computational approaches to biological problems below the cellular level. Bioinformatics includes biological sequence analysis, the structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids, genetic networks and gene expression, molecular evolution, and hypothesis generation from large-scale data sources.
Through modeling and analysis of systems, bioinformatics provides a rationalization for hypothesis formation, thereby reducing the problem space confronted by experimental approaches in traditional biology. Methodologies employed are derived from probability and statistics, signal processing, algorithms and their analysis, linguistics, graph theory, linear algebra, differential equations and optimization theory, database theory, and data mining. The bioengineering bioinformatics core at KU provides the student with formal course work in methodologies and applications with an emphasis on research.
Track Director: Michael Detamore, Ph.D.
Biomaterials science is the study of materials and their interaction with biological environments, and tissue engineering is the application of engineering and life sciences toward development of a biomaterial to restore, maintain and improve tissue function. Research in this inter- and multidisciplinary field involves collaborations among engineers, surgeons, materials scientists, biological scientists, chemists, dentists, and veterinarians in academics, industry, government and the clinic.
Research in the Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering track involves the investigation and development of materials and structures to improve the quality of life for patients. These materials—which may be synthetic, natural, or cell-based—are intended to assist in the diagnosis of pathology or injury, monitor condition, and improve or restore normal physiological function in the human body.
Students in this track are trained in structure-function-property relationships, which are built on a foundation in biology, materials science, and engineering. As a part of their coursework, students learn to independently develop a plan of research.
Specific research areas available at KU include drug delivery devices, tissue engineering, soft tissue biomechanics, biosensors, diagnostics and therapeutics, combination products, biocompatible materials, injury biomechanics, hydrogels, microparticle fabrication, gene and protein delivery, mass transport, polymer science, biocatalysis, biofluids, and dental materials. Graduates are prepared to enter into industry, government, or academics, where they will be able to assist in research programs in biomaterials
Track Director: Carl Luchies, Ph.D.
Biomechanics is the scientific discipline that studies biological systems, such as the human body, using the methods of Mechanical Engineering. The purpose is to create new and innovative approaches, advance fundamental concepts, and apply knowledge to the improvement of the mechanics of biological systems. The biomechanics research focus at KU is on the human musculoskeletal system.
Our mission is to provide a quality graduate research and educational experience with emphasis on understanding and analyzing the mechanics of the human body through experimental measurement, mathematical modeling and computer simulations. This effort includes studies of the mechanics of the whole-body as a system, a group of body parts as a sub-system, and an individual body part as a component.
Collaborative research is underway among researchers in engineering, mathematics, the sciences and in various areas at the KU Medical Center.
Track Co-Directors: Elizabeth Friis, Ph.D. and Sara Wilson, Ph.D.
The Biomedical Product Design and Development Track combines graduate-level research and coursework with practical exposure to these clinical, business and regulatory processes in a professional, collaborative environment.
Design and development of new medical products requires advanced bioengineering expertise as well as an understanding of clinical applications, business considerations and regulatory aspects of the medical field. Advanced engineering skills interface with clinical needs and requirements.
Medical products to be developed can include diagnostic tools, interventional and therapeutic devices, imaging equipment and methods, and biomaterials. This track includes a course in biomedical product development to introduce basic concepts of design, quality system regulations, regulatory aspects and entrepreneurship.
Students use their new understanding of market-driven forces to plan and execute their research with end-driven methods and an understanding of how their research results could be applied to development of a biomedical product. They not only work with their own basic and applied research, but also with other researchers in the KU Bioengineering community.
Required courses in engineering design methods teach students how to successfully complete applied research. A clinical or industrial preceptorship is required to give students practical exposure to applied biomedical research and development. Students completing this track will be prepared to apply their product-driven education either in industrial research and development, in a regulatory agency, or in academia interfacing with industry.
Track Director: Marylee Southard, Ph.D.
Biomolecular engineering research integrates the fundamentals of biology, chemistry and mathematics with engineering problem-solving methods to prepare students for careers in industry, academia and public service. Program faculty solve biological problems to increase understanding of a variety of biological systems.
Chemical and biological systems are studied to ultimately provide solutions — in the form of measurement of properties and function, imaging, diagnosis or therapeutics. Research in this area involves collaborations among engineers, biological scientists, chemists, physicians and pharmaceutical scientists in industry, academia, surgery and clinical settings.
Students in this track use a core background of mathematics, basic sciences and therapeutics and engineering courses to conduct interdisciplinary research. Elective courses are selected to prepare each student for their unique problem in such areas as drug design or development, biological materials design, characterization of cellular function or malfunction, transport in biological systems or analysis of complex data.
