BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

Our mission is to promote human health through education and research that bridges the gap between medicine and engineering. Our faculty and students play leading roles ranging from basic science discovery to the creation, clinical translation, and commercialization of new technologies, devices and therapies. In short, we are Engineering Better Health.

The cornerstone of our success has been active collaborations between students and faculty in classrooms and research laboratories and beyond. Collaborations are also greatly facilitated by our prime location adjacent to the outstanding research and clinical resources at Case Western Reserve’s School of Medicine, University Hospitals Case Medical Center (UHCMC), the Cleveland Clinic, The Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, and MetroHealth Medical Center. Their close proximities allow prospective students the opportunity to work in a variety of world-class research laboratories.

Our department continues to evolve to match the recent accelerated pace of biomedical engineering developments. As a joint program in the schools of engineering and medicine, our cutting-edge research spans a wide range of new interdisciplinary engineering discoveries and biomedical applications. The department is associated with over 20 research centers and over $41.7 million in current grants. Our research and education programs are strongly integrated with industry through job opportunities for graduates, sponsored research, and industrial training activities.

The department’s faculty members have diverse backgrounds, which enable students to pursue highly interdisciplinary work.

Biomaterials, Drug Delivery, and Tissue Engineering

From targeted drug delivery to biologically-inspired material design, the area of biomaterials, drug delivery, and tissue engineering covers a broad range of topics, including polymers, biomimetics, regenerative medicine, stem cells, and controlled-release therapeutics. Research in this area applies scientific principles and mathematical analysis to the development of new methodology, materials, and models. The therapeutic applications are as varied as the materials investigated. The research based on underlying biological mechanisms leads to biomimetic materials development.

Biomedical Imaging

The rapidly growing field of biomedical imaging enables one to visualize physiological structures, measure biological functions, and evaluate cellular and molecular events without invasive procedures. Imaging technologies include: magnetic resonance (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and optical imaging methods: optical coherence tomography (OCT), bioluminescence, fluorescence, and novel technologies as cryoimaging. State-of-the-art research facilities are available in the Biomedical Engineering Department, the Case Center for Imaging Research (CCIR), and the affiliated departments of radiology at the adjacent hospitals. These include high-field MR imaging and spectroscopy systems for both small animals and humans, nuclear microPET and SPECT/CT scanners, OCT and bioluminescence/fluorescence imaging systems. Support facilities include animal husbandry and preparation, human clinical trials, and histopathology.

Neural Engineering and Rehabilitation

Neural engineering is an emerging interdisciplinary research area that applies neuroscience and engineering methods to analyze central or peripheral nervous system function and to design solutions to clinical problems associated with neurological dysfunction. Neural engineering solves problems that arise from neurological disorders or injury by interfacing directly with the nervous system. Through the application of basic science and engineering techniques, neural engineers develop methods to record from and exert control over the nervous system and associated organ systems. At the university, researchers and students work in three centers directly involved in neural engineering and rehabilitation education and research. Research teams collaborate with four local major medical facilities: MetroHealth Medical Center, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic, and The Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center.

Biomedical Sensors

Biomedical sensing integrates biologicallyderived sensing components with transducers to measure the output of biological substances. Sensing research includes the development and use of electrochemical and optical mini- to micro-sensors for in vitro and in vivo applications. Micro-fabricated devices, such as BioMEMS chips, are developed for sensing applications.

Metabolic Systems

Mathematical modeling and computer simulation are used to analyze changes in cellular metabolism of the heart, skeletal muscle, brain and liver, as well as their integrated effects in the human body. Metabolic changes are associated with exercise, diet, and disease. Human studies are conducted to evaluate responses to exercise under normal and diseased conditions. Other experimental studies deal with skeletal muscle and cardiac responses to changes in oxygen and other chemical factors.

Cardiac and Vascular Systems

State-of-the-art imaging technologies and mathematical modeling are combined with molecular biology methods to study the various aspects cardiac electrical, chemical, and mechanical functions. Engineering principles and multidisciplinary approaches are employed for integrative characterization of cardiac function.

Musculoskeletal Mechanics

Engineering mechanics are applied to study the structure and function of musculoskeletal systems. This research leads to the design of clinical interventions, including artificial joints, prosthetic limbs, dental implants, bone healing, and methods to counteract loss of bone and muscle during space travel.