While helping patients is the ultimate goal of biomedical engineering, faculty in our department also study the why and how of pathogenesis—the cause in addition to the symptom associated with different diseases. We work to understand the fundamental biological processes that go awry through a strong focus on multiscale biophysics: from molecules to tissues. Labs in our department use advanced microscopies, molecular and computational modeling, and macroscopic mechano-scopes to study how different forces affect biochemistry and biology. Researchers study fundamental cell transport that moves materials in and out of cells, explore how biomaterials self-adapt to control cell function, design molecules to inhibit critical enzymes and pathways in cancer, and relate tissue mechanics with function in heart and lung tissues. This fundamental science perfectly complements the applied research in the Department of Biomedical Engineering with many labs operating at the interface of fundamental and applied topics by linking cutting-edge basic science with disease.
The University of Texas at Austin Department of Biomedical Engineering is a hub of pioneering research in cell, tissue engineering and synthetic biology. Our dedicated faculty are committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation, developing cutting-edge techniques for engineering artificial tissues, and manipulating cellular behavior at the forefront of therapeutic challenges in cardiovascular, bone, immune, and brain systems. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches, utilizing biomaterials, and stem cell bioengineering, we strive to engineer functional tissues with applications in regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and drug testing. The department's collaborative environment acts as a catalyst for advancing knowledge and shaping the future of biomedical engineering in cell and tissue engineering.
A wide range of fundamental Biomaterials approaches is actively explored for regenerative and medical therapies, offering multiple avenues for clinical applications. These approaches include development of innovative medical devices, artificial organs, advanced methods for disease treatment, and the engineering of cell-biomaterial surface interactions. The foundation of each of these endeavors requires the development of a new class of instructive biomaterials achieved by engineering biological activity into synthetic materials. Instructive biomaterials enable the recreation of native cellular niches with enhanced control and reproducibility compared to their natural counterparts. Our department is at the forefront of this dynamic field, conducting numerous fundamental and applied studies along with translational work in collaboration with clinical partners. These efforts have resulted in numerous disclosures and patents, showcasing our commitment to advancing biomaterials research.
Neuroengineering is a growing area that develops methods to improve neurological health and innovates approaches for neuroscience research. The department focuses on research in neuroimaging, neuromodulation, and neural devices, with an emphasis on interfacing with the nervous system with multiple levels of spatial resolution and cellular specificity. We lead the field through integration of new advances in neuroengineering, leveraging our legacy of expertise in medical imaging, computational methods and material engineering, and close clinical partnerships.
Computational Biomedical Engineering harnesses the world-class computational facilities at UT Austin to analyze and solve complex challenges in medical science and healthcare technologies. Our work involves employing mathematical modeling, simulations, data analysis, and algorithm development to understand normal and disease physiological processes at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ scales. This includes development of novel simulation-based methods for diagnosis and treatment and medical device development to improve healthcare outcomes. Our approaches include both physics-based and data-driven methods. Our strengths are focused on four main areas: computational oncology; computational cardiology; multiscale modeling & simulations; and biomedical informatics, artificial Intelligence, and machine learning.
The field of biomedical imaging employs physics, mathematics, computational science, and engineering to develop novel devices for visualizing phenomenon at different spatial and temporal scales. These scales range from the cellular to organ level, meaning imaging can capture the interactions between individual neurons, blood flow through arteries, or the entire motion of the heart as it beats. Imaging is a rapidly evolving field and new technologies are constantly being developed. These advancements are providing us with new insights into how the body functions, how diseases develop and progress, and how to deliver new treatments more effectively. The field of image-guided interventions is closely related to imaging. Image-guided interventions employs new imaging technologies and protocols to target, guide, or control medical therapies. Image-guidance is used to diagnose diseases, collect tissue samples, or deliver treatments. It is crucial to a host of clinical applications, including cancer radiotherapy, angioplasty and stenting, and interventional stroke treatments.
