What is bioengineering?

Participants in Tissue Engineering

• Bioengineers
• Materials scientists
• Cell and molecular biologists
• Immunologists
• Policy makers and ethicists
• Chemical engineers
• Surgeons

Neural Engineering

• Neural Engineers use modeling and analysis to understand and control the nervous system.
• Advances in neuroscience and microfabrication have opened the doors to exciting applications in neuroprosthetics, biosensors and hybrid biocomputers.

• Fluorescent Stained Myocyte

• Microfabrication Surface

Designing Networks of Neurons in a Petri Dish

• Real Networks of Nerve Cells in Culture on Patterned Substrates

• Input

• Output

• Ideal Neuronal Networks

• Prof. Wheeler, UIUC; Prof. Brewer, SIU Med School, Springfield

Biomimetics

• Mimicking biological systems to create new technologies

Modeling Channels Through Cell Membranes and Protein / Surface Interactions

• Understanding Molecular Structure
• by Applying Engineering Principles

• Computer Image of a DNA Binding Protein

• Biomolecular Modeling

Bioinformatics and Genomics

• Bioinformatics = computer science + biomedicine
• Discover genetic basis for disease (cancer, diabetes)
• Develop new diagnostic devices (cDNA chip)

• cDNA Array

Genetic Engineering

• Animals
• To produce a high-value therapeutic protein
• Pharm animals
• Plants-GMOs
• Improve plant yields
• Grow plants with higher nutrient value
• Plants with vaccines incorporated
• Pharmaceutical products
• Manipulate cells genetically
• Produce large quantities of vaccine, insulin, other useful proteins for medicine