Biological Engineering:

Daugherty, Doyle, Israelachvili, Mitragotri, Shell, Zasadzinski

 

Research in Biological Engineering spans a variety of topical areas including biochemical and biomedical engineering, biomaterials, and biotechnology. Projects range from the design and engineering of new biomolecules for sensors, medical diagnostics and therapeutics, to drug delivery and implantable biomaterials. The department houses five state-of-the-art biological engineering laboratories, and two computational design and simulation facilities.  Shell’s group is developing computational simulation methods for predicting and understanding protein structure, folding, and aggregation. Proteins are being designed using protein engineering and display technologies by Daugherty’s group for medical diagnostic and therapeutic applications in cancer, cardiovascular, and autoimmune diseases. The Mitragotri laboratory develops and applies novel methods, particles, and devices enabling precise and targeted delivery of pharmaceuticals and novel minimally invasive diagnostic sampling methods. Zasadzinski’s group is developing remote triggered nanoparticles for the selective targeting and removal of diseased cells from the body, and also investigates the fundamental mechanisms of lung surfactants used to treat respiratory distress. 

 

 

 

 

Israelachvili’s group applies sophisticated experimental methods and instrumentation to investigate intermolecular and surface interactions in biological systems, with applications in the development of advanced biocompatible and multifunctional biomaterials.

 

Frank Doyle, Associate Director of the Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies (ICB) and Director of the Pfizer supported Insulin Resistance Pathways project, develops and applies systems biological methods to address fundamental and applied problems in biology and medicine. Department faculty also play key roles in multiple collaborative bioengineering research centers including a Program of Excellence in Nanotechnology (PEN) for the treatment of Cardiovascular Disease, and a Cancer Center of Nanotechnology Excellence (CCNE).