phd tissue engineering

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Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

Research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine seeks to replace or regenerate diseased or damaged tissues, organs, and cells – a challenging endeavor, but one that has tremendous potential for the practice of medicine.

Technologies under investigation range from biomaterial/cell constructs for repairing various tissues and organs, to stem cell therapies, to immune therapies. Our work in this area is highly multidisciplinary, combining materials science, cell biology, clinical science, immunology, stem cell biology, genome science, and others.

Accordingly, researchers in this area within Duke BME are broadly interactive with departments throughout the university including Duke University Medical Center clinical departments, the Duke University School of Medicine departments of Cell Biology and Immunology, the Duke Department of Chemistry, and others. This community is also supported by centers and programs such as Regeneration Next and the Center for Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering (CBTE) .

Primary Faculty

Nenad Bursac

Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests: Embryonic and adult stem cell therapies for heart and muscle disease; cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue engineering; cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias; genetic modifications of stem and somatic cells; micropatterning of proteins and hydrogels.

Pranam D. Chatterjee

Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests: Integration of computational and experimental methodologies to design novel proteins for applications in genome editing, targeted protein modulation, and reproductive bioengineering

Joel Collier

Theodore Kennedy Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests: The design of biomaterials for a range of biomedical applications, with a focus on understanding and controlling adaptive immune responses. Most materials investigated are created from molecular assemblies- proteins, peptides or bioconjugates that self-organize into useful…

Sharon Gerecht

Paul M. Gross Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests: stem cells, biomaterials, hypoxia, blood vessels, physics of cancer, regenerative medicine

Charles Gersbach

John W. Strohbehn Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests: Gene therapy, genomics and epigenomics, biomolecular and cellular engineering, regenerative medicine, and synthetic biology.

John Wirthlin Hickey

Research Interests: Using and developing systems biology tools and technologies to describe and control spatial relationships between cells in tissues, particularly in cell therapies.

Samira Musah

Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests: Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), disease mechanisms, regenerative medicine, molecular and cellular basis of human kidney development and disease, organ engineering, patient-specific disease models, biomarkers, therapeutic discovery, tissue and organ transplantation,…

Tatiana Segura

Research Interests: The design of biomaterials to promote endogenous repair and reducing inflammation through the design of the geometry of the material, and delivering genes, proteins and drugs.

George A. Truskey

R. Eugene and Susie E. Goodson Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests: Cardiovascular tissue engineering, mechanisms of atherogenesis, cell adhesion, and cell biomechanics.

Shyni Varghese

Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science and Orthopaedics

Research Interests: Musculoskeletal tissue repair, disease biophysics and organ-on-a-chip technology

Secondary Faculty

Geoffrey Steven Ginsburg

Adjunct Professor in the Department of Medicine

Cynthia Ann Toth

Joseph A.C. Wadsworth Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology

Stefan Zauscher

Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Research Interests: Nano-mechanical and nano-tribological characterization (elasticity, friction, adhesion) of materials including organic thin films; self-assembled monolayers, polymeric gels, and cellulosics; Fabrication of polymeric nanostructures by scanning probe lithography; Colloidal probe…

Faculty Emeritus

William M. Reichert

Professor Emeritus of Biomedical Engineering

Research Interests: Biosensors, protein mediated cell adhesion, and wound healing.

MIT Department of Biological Engineering

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Tissue Engineering

Tissue Engineering is the field of research using cells and other materials to either enhance or replace biological tissues. To that end, many faculty in BE are studying in this field including one who is using stem cell-seeded scaffolds to repair degraded cartilage and another who has engineered mice to fluorescently display genetic changes.

Laurie A. Boyer, PhD

Ron weiss, phd, harvey f. lodish, phd, c. forbes dewey, jr., phd, ed boyden, phd, robert langer, scd, darrell j. irvine, phd, douglas a. lauffenburger, phd, alan j. grodzinsky, scd, roger d. kamm, phd.

We have 26 Tissue Engineering PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

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Tissue Engineering PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

A PhD in Tissue Engineering offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the advancement of medical science and technology. It allows you to delve into the fascinating world of regenerative medicine and develop innovative solutions to address tissue and organ damage.

What's it like to study a PhD in Tissue Engineering?

Studying a PhD in Tissue Engineering is a dynamic and multidisciplinary journey. You will have the chance to work at the forefront of medical research, exploring ways to repair and regenerate damaged tissues and organs. This field combines principles from biology, engineering, and medicine to develop cutting-edge techniques and materials that can mimic or replace human tissues.

During your PhD, you will be involved in designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, and collaborating with experts in various fields. You will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities, allowing you to explore different techniques such as 3D printing, biomaterials, and cell culture. This hands-on experience will not only enhance your technical skills but also foster critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Entry requirements for a PhD in Tissue Engineering

To pursue a PhD in Tissue Engineering, you will typically need a strong academic background in a relevant field such as biomedical engineering, biology, or medicine. Most universities require a minimum of a 2.1 Honours degree, although some may also consider candidates with a Master's degree. Additionally, research experience and a strong motivation to contribute to the field are highly valued.

PhD in Tissue Engineering funding options

Funding for PhDs in Tissue Engineering may be available from various sources, including governments, universities and charities, business or industry. See our full guides to PhD funding for more information.

PhD in Tissue Engineering careers

A PhD in Tissue Engineering opens up a wide range of career opportunities. You could choose to work in academia, conducting further research and teaching at universities. Alternatively, you may opt for a career in industry, collaborating with pharmaceutical companies or medical device manufacturers to develop innovative therapies and technologies. Tissue engineering also has applications in clinical practice, where you could work alongside healthcare professionals to implement regenerative medicine approaches.

Moreover, this field offers the potential for entrepreneurship, allowing you to start your own biotech company or consultancy firm. With the growing demand for tissue engineering solutions, there is a need for experts who can bridge the gap between scientific research and practical applications.

Embarking on a PhD in Tissue Engineering is not only intellectually stimulating but also offers the opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of patients and the future of medicine. By pushing the boundaries of what is possible in tissue regeneration, you can contribute to the development of groundbreaking therapies and revolutionize the field of medicine.

Bioengineered human tissue models of leukaemia to improve drug development

Phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

This research project has funding attached. It is only available to UK citizens or those who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more. Some projects, which are funded by charities or by the universities themselves may have more stringent restrictions.

Bioprinting Gradient Scaffolds for Osteochondral Tissue Engineering Using Cell Instructive Microparticles

Self-funded phd students only.

This project does not have funding attached. You will need to have your own means of paying fees and living costs and / or seek separate funding from student finance, charities or trusts.

Modelling Material Transformation in Light-based Volumetric Additive Manufacturing

Restoration of sensation to prosthetic limb users, ultrasound-modulated hydrogel implant for precision bone regeneration: exploiting immune dynamics for enhanced healing., competition funded phd project (students worldwide).

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but potential funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Bioactive-loaded scaffolds for conjunctiva regeneration

Antimicrobial dressings that use invisible light to fight wound infection, a computational fluid dynamics (cfd) investigation of endovascular aortic arch stent graft designs in relation to post-operative thrombus formation, exploring mechanisms underlying viral infections in initiating pulmonary fibrosis, tissue engineering of cardiovascular implants, awaiting funding decision/possible external funding.

This supervisor does not yet know if funding is available for this project, or they intend to apply for external funding once a suitable candidate is selected. Applications are welcome - please see project details for further information.

Development and Characterization of Hydrogel-Based Model(s) for Pancreatic Cancer

Injectable hydrogels for articular cartilage tissue regeneration, biomechanical investigation of tendinopathy: a multiscale study, funded phd project (students worldwide).

This project has funding attached, subject to eligibility criteria. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but its funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Innovative Biological Scaffolds for Regenerative Replacement of Dysfunctional Heart Valves

Sustainable processes – reducing single use plastics in healthcare, competition funded phd project (european/uk students only).

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities.

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UC Berkeley Department of Bioengineering

The future of biology. The future of engineering.

research_head

Cell & Tissue Engineering

Cell and tissue engineering centers on the application of physical and engineering principles to understand and control cell and tissue behavior. Cellular engineering focuses on cell-level phenomena, while tissue engineering and regenerative medicine seek to generate or stimulate new tissue for disease treatment. 

Two areas in which the department has established special leadership are cellular mechanobiology, which focuses on understanding the interaction and conversion between force-based and biochemical information in living systems, and stem cell engineering, which includes platforms to expand, implant, and mobilize stem cells for tissue repair and replacement.

Faculty working in cell & tissue engineering: 

Dean A. Richard Newton Memorial Professor, Bioengineering; Senior Faculty Scientist, Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Director, Center for the Utilization of Bioengineering in Space; CEO/CSO, DOE Systems Biology Knowledgebase PI and Co-Director, ENIGMA SFA

​The Arkin Lab focus is how microbes transform, clean, and improve soils, soils that are currently degrading due to climate change, pollution, and poor water use. Near close-loops, low-energy, low-input biomanufacturing programs for food, pharmaceuticals, and building materials at “small village” scale, which are initially designed for a deep-space crewed Mars mission but have applications here on Earth for supporting sustainable agriculture. Another interest is to develop engineering approaches for microbiomes so we can control communities of microbes that drive the earth’s mineral cycles, support our plants and efficiency and stress responses, and impact the health and food-efficiency of a good many living creatures including ourselves.

Professor, Bioengineering Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Theory and applications of solid mechanics to traditional materials and biomaterials.

Professor, Bioengineering

Our work has been focused on establishing new paradigms in multi-tissue stem cell aging, rejuvenation and regulation by conserved morphogenic signaling pathways. One of our goals is to define pharmacology for enhancing maintenance and repair of adult tissues in vivo. The spearheaded by us heterochronic parabiosis and blood apheresis studies have established that the process of aging is reversible through modulation of circulatory milieu. Our synthetic biology method of choice focuses on bio-orthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging (BONCAT) and subsequent identification of age-imposed and disease-causal changes in mammalian proteomes in vivo. Our drug delivery reg medicine projects focus on CRISPR/Cas9 based therapeutics for more effective and safer gene editing.

Assistant Professor, Bioengineering

​The development of immunoengineering technologies to direct immune cell function. We build artificial lymph nodes, mRNA vaccines and 3D printed interfaces to study and control immune cell behaviour. These technologies have applications in cancer therapy, inducing transplant tolerance, spaceflight and auto-immune diseases.

Purnendu Chatterjee Chair in Engineering Biological Systems, Bioengineering Faculty Scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

The Fletcher Lab develops diagnostic technologies and studies mechanical regulation of membrane and cytoskeleton organization in the context of cell motility, signaling, and host-pathogen interactions. We specialize in development of optical microscopy, force microscopy, and microfluidic technologies to understand fundamental organizational principles through both in vitro reconstitution and live cell experiments. Recent work includes investigating the mechano-biochemistry of branched actin network assembly with force microscopy, studying membrane deformation by protein crowding and oligomerization with model membranes, and reconstituting spindle scaling in encapsulated cytoplasmic extracts. The long-term goal of our work is to understand and harness spatial organization for therapeutic applications in cancer and infectious diseases.

Jan Fandrianto Professor, Bioengineering Professor, Materials Science & Engineering

Research in the Healy Lab emphasizes the relationship between materials and the cells or tissues they contact. The research program focuses on the design and synthesis of bioinspired materials that actively direct the fate of mammalian cells, and facilitate regeneration of damaged tissues and organs. Major discoveries from his laboratory have centered on the control of cell fate and tissue formation in contract with materials that are tunable in both their biological content and mechanical properties. Professor Healy also has extensive experience with human stem cell technologies, microphysiological systems, drug delivery systems, and novel bioconjugate therapeutics.

Professor in Residence, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Bioengineering & Therapeutic Sciences, UCSF Director, Health Innovations Via Engineering (HIVE), UCSF

Dr. Hernandez’s research in biomechanics examines the musculoskeletal system, microscopic organisms and interactions between microbes and materials. Current projects include understanding how the microbiome influences bone and infection of total joint replacements, how bacteria are influenced by mechanical stress and strain, and engineered living materials.

Adjunct Professor, Bioengineering

Chancellors Professor, Bioengineering Chancellors Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Biomechanics of cortical and trabecular bone; design of spine prostheses; bone fracture and osteoporosis; tissue engineering of bone.

Chancellor’s Professor, Bioengineering & Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Director, California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3) at UC Berkeley Professor in Residence, Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, UCSF Faculty Scientist, Biological Systems and Engineering, LBNL

Our lab seeks to understand and engineer mechanical and other biophysical communication between cells and materials. In addition to investigating fundamental aspects of this problem with a variety of micro/nanoscale technologies, we are especially interested in discovering how this signaling regulates tumor and stem cell biology in the central nervous system. Recent directions have included: (1) Engineering new tissue-mimetic culture platforms for biophysical studies, molecular analysis, and screening; (2) Exploring mechanobiological signaling systems as targets for limiting the invasion of brain tumors and enhancing stem cell neurogenesis; and (3) Creating new biomaterials inspired by cellular structural networks.

Chair of Bioengineering, Class of 1941 WWII Memorial Chair in Bioengineering and Materials Science and Engineering

My laboratory is interested in understanding structure-property relationships in biological materials and in using this information to design biologically inspired materials for use in healthcare. Fundamental studies include single molecule and bulk biophysical studies of biointerfacial and bulk mechanochemical phenomena in biological materials, whereas our applied studies the design and synthesis of novel biomaterials for tissue repair and regeneration.

Professor, Bioengineering Professor, Mechanical Engineering Faculty Scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab

​Molecular and Multiscale Biomechanics; Bioinformatics and Computational Biology; Statistical Machine Learning; Computational Precision Health; Microbiome; Personalized Medicine

Our laboratory is focused on developing new materials for drug delivery and molecular imaging.

Professor, Mechanical Engineering Lawrence Talbot Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Characterization of structural evolution in medical grade ultra high molecular weight poliethylene due to sterilization: the implications for total joint replacements.

Professor Emeritus, Bioengineering Professor Emeritus, Medicine, UCSF

The research focus is on hand and arm biomechanics and the design of workplace tools and tasks in order to improve productivity and the quality of work while preventing upper extremity fatigue and injury. The lab has studied designs of tablets, gesture interfaces, keyboards, mice, pipettors, touch screens, dental tools, construction drills, chairs, and agricultural tools. Funding is primarily from NIH and CDC but also from Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, BART, Logitech, and Herman-Miller.

Professor Emeritus, Bioengineering Professor of the Graduate School, Mechanical Engineering

Bioelectronic devices, biotransport, medical imaging, electrical impedance tomography.

Professor, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Bioengineering, and Molecular & Cell Biology Executive Director, QB3 Director, Bakar Labs and the Bakar BioEnginuity Hub Director, Berkeley Stem Cell Center

Our research program melds basic biology and applied engineering principles to investigate preclinical and clinical gene and stem cell therapies, i.e. gene replacement and cell replacement approaches to treat human disease.

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Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine

Tissue engineering.

These are the faculty members that are specialized in tissue engineering.

Nancy Allbritton, MD, PhD (Bioengineering) Research in my laboratory focuses on the development of novel methods and technologies to answer fundamental questions in biology & medicine.  Much of biology & medicine is technology limited in that leaps in knowledge follow closely on the heels of new discoveries and inventions in the physical and engineering sciences; consequently, interdisciplinary groups which bridge these different disciplines are playing increasingly important roles in biomedical research.  Our lab has developed partnerships with other investigators in the areas of biology, medicine, chemistry, physics, and engineering to design, fabricate, test, and utilize new tools for biomedical and clinical research.  Collaborative projects include novel strategies to measure enzyme activity in single cells using microelectrophoresis innovations, to build organ-on-a-chips particularly intestine-on-chip, array-based methods for cell screening and sorting.  An additional focus area is the development of software and instrumentation to support these applications areas. The ultimate goal is to design and build novel technologies and then translate these technologies into the marketplace to insure their availability to the biomedical research and clinical communities to enable humans to lead healthier and more productive lives.

Cole A. DeForest, PhD  (Chemical Engineering) While the potential for biomaterial-based strategies to improve and extend the quality of human health through tissue regeneration and the treatment of disease continues to grow, the majority of current strategies rely on outdated technology initially developed and optimized for starkly different applications. Therefore, the DeForest Group seeks to integrate the governing principles of rational design with fundamental concepts from material science, synthetic chemistry, and stem cell biology to conceptualize, create, and exploit next-generation materials to address a variety of health-related problems. We are currently interested in the development of new classes of user-programmable hydrogels whose biochemical and biophysical properties can be tuned in time and space over a variety of scales. Our work relies heavily on the utilization of cytocompatible bioorthogonal chemistries, several of which can be initiated with light and thereby confined to specific sub-volumes of a sample. By recapitulating the dynamic nature of the native tissue through 4D control of the material properties, these synthetic environments are utilized to probe and better understand basic cell function as well as to engineer complex heterogeneous tissue.

David A. Dichek, MD (Medicine/Cardiology) Our work focuses on defining the molecular mechanisms that drive aortic aneurysm formation and that precipitate atherosclerotic plaque rupture (the proximal cause of most heart attacks). We are also developing a gene therapy—delivered to the blood vessel wall—that prevents and reverses atherosclerosis. Experiments are performed in a mouse model of heritable thoracic aortic aneurysms, a mouse model of atherosclerotic plaque rupture, and with advanced human plaque tissue. Our gene therapy research uses helper-dependent adenoviral vectors to test therapies in rabbit models of carotid artery and vein graft atherosclerosis.  We anticipate that insights from our work will lead to therapies that prevent or stabilize aortic aneurysms and that prevent and reverse atherosclerosis.

Benjamin Freedman, PhD  (Medicine/Nephrology) Our laboratory has developed techniques to efficiently differentiate hPSCs into kidney organoids in a reproducible, multi-well format – a prototype ‘kidney-in-a-dish’. In addition, we have generated hPSC lines carrying naturally occurring or engineered mutations relevant to human kidney diseases, such as polycystic kidney disease and nephrotic syndrome. The goal of our research is to use these new tools to model human kidney disease and identify therapeutic approaches, including kidney regeneration.

Cecilia Giachelli, PhD  (Bioengineering) My lab is interested in applying stem cell and regenerative medicine strategies to the areas of ectopic calcification, tissue engineering, biomaterials development and biocompatibility.

Ray Monnat, PhD  (Pathology and Genome Sciences) Our research focuses on human RecQ helicase deficiency syndromes such as Werner syndrome; high resolution analyses of DNA replication dynamics; and the engineering of homing endonucleases for targeted gene modification or repair in human and other animal cells.

Tracy E. Popowics, PhD (Oral Health Sciences) Our team focusses on regeneration of the periodontal ligament (PDL) that maintains tooth position and provides support during chewing. Our approach is to engineer three-dimensional (3D) periodontal constructs that mimic the native tissue structure and function. Our 3D PDL constructs include cells that are suspended in collagen matrix and recreate the living PDL tissue. Periodontal tissue loss not only includes loss of the ligament, but also the alveolar bone and cementum that anchor the periodontal ligament and hold the tooth in place. This tissue loss may occur to different degrees during an individual’s lifespan due to changes in oral care, periodontal disease, systemic disease or other health problems. This is particularly true for the aged population in which diminished oral care can contribute to persistent and recurring periodontal inflammation and tissue breakdown. Regenerating these three layers is essential to restore the structural and functional integrity of PDL and to prevent tooth loss.

Feini (Sylvia) Qu, VMD, PhD (Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, Mechanical Engineering) The long-term goal of our research is to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of musculoskeletal tissue regeneration, especially with respect to the bones and connective tissues of limbs and joints, and then leverage this knowledge to regenerate lost or diseased structures using stem cells, gene editing, and biomaterials. Our lab uses the mouse digit tip, one of the few mammalian systems that exhibits true regeneration, to identify pathways that regulate tissue patterning and outgrowth after amputation. Armed with a better understanding of the cues that direct complex tissue formation in adulthood, we will develop therapeutic strategies that enhance the regeneration of limbs and joints after injury and degenerative disease in patients.

Buddy Ratner, PhD  (Bioengineering) Stem cells proliferate and differentiate in response to micromechanical cues, surface biological signals, orientational directives and chemical gradients. To control stem cell proliferation and differentiation, the Ratner lab brings 30 years experience in surface control of biology, polymer scaffold fabrication and controlled release of bioactive agents to address the challenges of directing stem cell differentiation and subsequent tissue formation.

Michael Regnier, PhD  (Bioengineering) The Regnier lab works in a highly collaborative environment to develop both cell replacement and gene therapies approaches to treat diseased and failing hearts and skeletal muscle. Cell replacement strategies include development and testing of tissue engineered constructs. Gene therapies are target and improve myofilament contractile protein function.

Jenny Robinson, PhD (Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and Mechanical Engineering) Our primary goal is to understand what cues are needed to promote connective tissue (ligament, cartilage, fibrocartilage) regeneration after knee injuries and reduce the onset of osteoarthritis. We have a particular interest on how these cues may differ in male and female athletes. We engineer biomaterial-based environments that mimic native tissue biochemical and mechanical properties to pinpoint specific cues that are required for regeneration of the connective tissues in the knee. We aim to use this knowledge to inform the treatment options for patients with knee injuries to ensure they can get back to performance with reduced or minimal chance for the development of osteoarthritis.

Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert, PhD (Bioengineering) Our lab works on developing novel approaches to treat peripheral nerve and spinal cord injury.  We use stem cell derived neurons and glia for transplantation following injury to replace cells that are lost as well as model systems to test potential drugs to promote regeneration.  Our ultimate goal is to provide patients with new therapies that will improve functional outcomes after injury.

Mehmet Sarikaya, PhD  (Materials Science and Engineering) Our research focuses on Molecular Biomimetics in which we use combinatorial mutagenesis to select peptides with specific affinity to desired materials, use bioinformatics-based pathways to in-silico design peptides, tailor their structure and function using genetic engineering protocols, couple them with synthetic self-assembled molecular hybrids, and use them as molecular tools in practical medicine and materials technologies. Our focus at the biology/materials interface incorporates molecular biology and nanotechnology, computational biology and bioinformatics, molecular assemblers, bio-enabled nanophotonics (quantum-dot and surface-enhanced probes), and peptide-based matrices for neural, dental and soft tissue regeneration.

Drew L. Sellers, PhD  (Bioengineering) Despite possessing a resident pool of neural stem cells, the mammalian brain and spinal cord shows a limited ability to regenerate damaged tissue after traumatic injury.  Instead, injury initiates a cascade of events that direct reactive gliosis to wall off an injury with a glial scar to mitigate damage and preserve function. My current research interests explore approaches to re-engineer the stem cell niche, to utilize gene-therapy and genome editing approaches to reprogram and engineer stem cells directly, and to enhance drug delivery into the central nervous system (CNS) to drive regenerative strategies that augment functional recovery in the diseased or traumatically injured CNS.

Alec Smith, PhD (Physiology & Biophysics) My lab’s research is focused on understanding the mechanistic pathways that underpin muscle and nervous tissue development in health and disease. To achieve this, we are developing human stem cell-derived models of neuromuscular diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). By analyzing the behavior of these cells, we aim to better define how the causal mutation leads to the development and progression of neurodegenerative disease. Ultimately, identification of pathways critical to disease progression will provide new targets for therapeutic intervention, leading to the development of new treatments for patients suffering from these debilitating and life-threatening conditions.

Nathan Sniadecki, PhD   (Mechanical Engineering) Our mission is to understand how mechanics affects human biology and disease at the cellular level. If we can formulate how cells are guided by mechanics, then we can direct cellular response in order to engineer cells and tissue for medical applications. We specialize in the design and development of micro- and nano-tools, which allows us to probe the role of cell mechanics at a length scale appropriate to the size of cells and their proteins.

Kelly R. Stevens, PhD  (Bioengineering and Pathology) Our research is focused on developing new technologies to assemble synthetic human tissues from stem cells, and to remotely control these tissues after implantation in a patient. To do this, we use diverse tools from stem cell biology, tissue engineering, synthetic biology, microfabrication, and bioprinting. We seek to translate our work into new regenerative therapies for patients with heart and liver disease.

Thomas N. Wight, PhD  (Benaroya Research Institute) This investigator leads a research program focused on the role that the extracellular matrix molecules, proteoglycans and hyaluronan, play in regulating vascular cell type and the regulation of extracellular matrix assembly. These pathways are fundamental to understanding the growth of new blood vessels in different tissues of the body, and have potential for direct tissue regeneration applications through the use of proteoglycan genes to bioengineer vascular tissue.

Ying Zheng, PhD  (Bioengineering) Dr. Zheng’s research focuses on understanding and engineering the fundamental structure and functions in living tissue and organ systems from nanometer, micrometer to centimeter scale.

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Biomedical Engineering—MS, PhD

At the nexus of the living and the synthetic, biomedical engineers are helping us to live longer — and live better. We're combining the best of the natural and artificial worlds. Are you ready?

Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students.

Program Overview

Our master's or doctorate in biomedical engineering program develops new devices at the interface of engineering, biology, and medicine. We emphasize research and education in cardiovascular engineering, tissue regeneration and stem cell engineering, biomaterials, physiological measurements, biosensors, microdevices, biomechanics, and medical imaging and optics. Faculty and students have developed businesses with the technologies developed in our laboratories.

Delivery Options

• Accelerated: MS
• On-Campus: MS, PhD

Biomedical Engineering Program Details

Choose a specific degree option or delivery type to learn more about the biomedical engineering program at Michigan Tech. For international students, Biomedical Engineering is a designated STEM program.

On-Campus Programs

To complete a doctoral degree, students must complete the following milestones:

• Complete all coursework and research credits (see credit requirements below)
• Pass Qualifying Examination
• Pass Research Proposal Examination
• Prepare and Submit Approved Dissertation
• Pass Final Oral Defense

The minimum credit requirements are as follows:

Individual programs may have higher standards and students are expected to know their program's requirements. See the  Doctor of Philosophy Requirements  website for more information about PhD milestones and related timelines.

This option requires a research thesis prepared under the supervision of the advisor. The thesis describes a research investigation and its results. The scope of the research topic for the thesis should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in 12 months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

This option requires a report describing the results of an independent study project. The scope of the research topic should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in twelve months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits. 

Of the minimum total of 30 credits, at least 24 must be earned in coursework other than the project:

This option requires a minimum of 30 credits be earned through coursework. A limited number of research credits may be used with the approval of the advisor, department, and Graduate School. See degree requirements for more information.

A graduate program may require an oral or written examination before conferring the degree and may require more than the minimum credits listed here:

Bachelor's + 1 Year = Master's Degree

Our accelerated master's degree program is a faster, easier way for Michigan Tech students to earn a master's degree. Up to nine approved credits from your bachelor's degree can be applied towards your accelerated master's degree. Consult your graduate program director for your individualized plan. If you're thinking about pursuing a master's following your bachelor's this option may be the right choice for you. 

Additional Accelerated Master's Program Details

Additional Program Information

Want to learn more about biomedical engineering at Michigan Tech? Visit the department for more information:

• Additional Program Details
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Graduate Director

Jingfeng Jiang

Graduate Assistant

Alexandra Holmstrom

Sample Areas of Interest

Select areas of interest to help customize your biomedical engineering MS and PhD. Sample areas include:

• Biomedical Instrumentation
• Tissue Engineering
• Biomaterials
• Biomechanics

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Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis using a holistic approach. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, although you will need to upload them later.

Applying to Graduate School is free  (no application fees) and  fast (no official transcripts or test scores are needed to start). The application process involves three easy steps. International applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $10 processing fee per application.

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Michigan Tech offers several admissions options in order to meet the educational needs of students from a variety of backgrounds. Students should review the options available to them and apply for the program that will best help them achieve their personal educational goals.

See Admissions Options

To be considered for admission to the Graduate School as a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you need to:

• have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
• be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous degree and your scholastic record.

See additional application requirements , including required materials:

• Student Statements
• Official Transcripts

Program Specific

• 3 Letters of Recommendation  ( waived for Michigan Tech Undergrads )
• Résumé / Curriculum vitae
• Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or higher for PhD and 3.0 or higher for Master's on a 4.0 scale
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or science 
• GRE (for doctoral applicants only, starting with Fall 2023 applications)

International Students

• TOEFL: Recommended Score of at least 110 iBT
• IELTS: Recommended Overall Band score of at least 8.0

Michigan Tech requires a minimum 79 overall TOEFL or 6.5 overall IELTS score.

Admissions Decisions

For full consideration of support, applications should be submitted by the deadline, all others will be considered on a rolling basis. Most support is offered for the fall semester.

Recommended Deadlines

 Fall PhD: January 15  Spring PhD:  July 1  Apply at least one semester in advance of projected admission to improve your chances of receiving funding.

International Students must apply and be accepted into a degree-granting program in order to earn a graduate certificate. A non-refundable $10 processing fee per application is required.

See International Applicants

Our Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students.

• Overall GPA of 3.0 or greater
• Résumé/ Curriculum vitae
• No GRE required
• Completed course plan

Eligible Undergraduate Majors

• Mechanical Engineering
• Apply for Free
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• For Prospective Students

Accredited by HLC

Michigan Tech has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1928. Our Graduate School offers over 125 certificates, master's, and PhD programs to provide our students and the world with what tomorrow needs.

Who You'll Work With

You will work with leading biomedical engineers and scientists from across campus. Local and regional hospitals provide opportunities for clinical studies. Collaborations with leading medical institutions from across the country provide opportunities to explore the clinical applications of their research.

Where You'll Work

Our labs isolate and culture human cells, image blood flows, model complex biological processes, design new sensors and electrical circuits, and develop new biomaterials. Our facilities include digital 2-D and 3-D fluorescence microscopes, ultrasound and optical equipment, mechanical testing equipment, and cell and tissue culture facilities. A wide variety of testing, analytical, and imaging equipment is available from facilities all across campus. 

Faculty Spotlight

Jingfeng Jiang Professor, Biomedical Engineering

"Digital competency is an important skill for graduate students in the 21st century."

Computational biomedical engineering is an exciting and emerging area. With readily available computational capacities, biomedical engineers can use their computational knowledge and skills to greatly improve outcomes in healthcare, particularly, in rural areas like ours. Computational tools and analytics in Dr. Jiang’s lab can be used to assist and test therapeutic devices, and improve therapeutics in cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Program Faculty

The Ohio State University

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Molecular, Cell, and Tissue Engineering

The department's efforts in the area of Cell/Tissue Engineerng are directed towards both disease-driven research and the development enabling technologies. Disease-driven research includes improvement of clinically used tissue-engineered skin and tissue-engineered islets for potential treatment of type-I diabetes. Development of enabling technologies include new strategies for drug delivery, cell and tissue cryopreservation, self-assembling the extra-cellular matrix and biomimetic technologies.

.cls-1{fill:#a91e22;}.cls-2{fill:#c2c2c2;} double-arrow Department Faculty

Molecular, Cellular, Tissue and Biomaterials Engineering (Graduate Certificate)

• Program description
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• Degree requirements
• Admission requirements
• Tuition information
• Attend online
• Program learning outcomes
• Career opportunities
• Contact information

Bio Materials, Engineering, Synthetic Biology, Systems Biology, Tissues, cellular, molecular

This program is not accepting applications at this time.

Engineers are constantly improving in their capability to manipulate the components of biological systems. Approaches to localized delivery of drugs, genetic manipulations of cells and the building of tissue scaffolds are changing rapidly.

The certificate program in molecular, cellular, tissue and biomaterials engineering exposes students to many of the principles and techniques that are central to the field. Students who complete the program have a set of skills that enables them to participate in engineering biological systems at levels ranging from molecular to tissue.

• College/school: Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
• Location: Tempe or Online

15 credit hours

Required Core (3 credit hours) BME 567 Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (3)

Electives (12 credit hours)

Additional Curriculum Information Students should see the academic unit for an approved list of elective courses.

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Students should see below for more information.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or they must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Students must have a BS or BSE in biomedical engineering; or a BS or BSE in engineering plus advanced (postbaccalaureate) training in medicine, physiology or related fields; or a BS in a science discipline plus additional background work in biology, thermodynamics, fluids, transport, and additional work in medicine, physiology or related fields. Specifically, applicants need to demonstrate equivalent proficiency in at least four of the following five areas:

• biomaterials
• electrical networks or circuits
• engineering mechanics
• fluid mechanics or engineering transport
• thermodynamics or physical chemistry

Admission examinations are not required.

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:

• Apply advanced biological concepts and principles at the cellular and molecular level to biomedical engineering solutions.
• Generalize advanced techniques and concepts from the cellular and molecular level to tissue engineering to address biomedical questions
• Apply biomaterials knowledge to solve biomedical engineering problems at the graduate level.

Professionals who specialize in molecular, cellular, tissue and biomaterials engineering are in high demand. They are sought after by local, national and international employers across sectors and industries, including business, academia, healthcare, government and research.

School of Biological & Health Systems Engineering | ECG 334 [email protected] 480-965-3028

Biomedical Engineering

College of engineering, ph.d. program.

Formal coursework for a Ph.D. must cover at least three out of five core areas: physiology and cellular/molecular biology, biomaterials and tissue engineering, biomechanics, biomedical imaging and bioinformatics, and neuroengineering; Each of these core courses must be of 9 units or more. Graduate level introductory courses in each core area are available for students who are unfamiliar with the subject area. Aside from the core area requirement, considerable flexibility is allowed in the selection of courses to adapt to diverse interests, educational backgrounds, and career plans. Students are also allowed to take a certain number of upper-level undergraduate courses to broaden their background.

Students start thesis research within a few weeks of matriculation. Research during the first year defines the theme for the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination at the beginning of the second year. The purpose of the Qualifying Examination is to ensure that the student is sufficiently prepared and motivated to complete Ph.D. thesis research. Students submit a research document and take an oral examination with questions centered around the subject of the document. The questions may range from fundamental knowledge, prior research, to future prospect. By passing the Qualifying Examination, the student is formally accepted as a Ph.D. candidate.

The ensuing Ph.D. research must demonstrate the student’s ability to conduct an original, coherent, and independent investigation, to abstract principles, and to interpret the results in a logical manner. The student must pass a Ph.D. Proposal Examination, designed to assess the plan for completing the Ph.D. research, within the first three years of residence. Ph.D. dissertation and oral defense must be completed within six years of passing the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination.

Other Requirements

All students are required to take Biomedical Engineering Seminar (42-701) or (42-801) during each semester of residence. All Ph.D. students must also complete three semesters of Teaching Assistantship. Detailed requirements are described in the Graduate Student Handbook.

• Program Handbook
• Frequently Asked Questions
• M.S. Program

Direct Entry

Students entering the Ph.D. program without an M.S. degree are classified as Direct Entry. Direct Entry students must satisfactorily complete at least 84 units of coursework, among which at most 21 units may be advanced undergraduate courses. Most Direct Entry students graduate within 4-5 years of full-time study.

Advanced Entry

Qualified candidates with an approved M.S. degree may be accepted into the Advanced Entry Ph.D. program. Advanced Entry students are required to complete 42 units of coursework, among which at most 9 units may be advanced undergraduate courses. Advanced Entry students are expected to devote most of the effort to research starting the first year. Many of them are able to graduate in no more than 4 years.

The Department of Biomedical Engineering participates in a combined M.D.-Ph.D. Program with the  University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine,  to offer M.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh and Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University. The aim is to allow physician-engineers to blend research and clinical perspectives in treating patients.

Prospective students should apply directly to the  University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine , indicating an interest in the Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. During the first semester of the second year of medical school, the student should submit an application to the Ph.D. program, which may include supporting documents previously submitted to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Students formally enter the Ph.D. program after completing their second year of medical school, although research may start as soon as the summer before the first semester of medical school and during the subsequent two summer semesters. This allows the student to gain a total of six months of research before officially entering the Ph.D. program.

Ph.D. requirements are similar to those for the Advanced Entry Ph.D. program except that there are no specific core course requirements, such that students may tailor biomedical engineering -relevant courses in consultation with the advisor. Completion of the Ph.D. program is targeted at 3-4 years.  The student then returns to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to completes the last two years of M.D. training.

BME PhD Admission and Completion

As a top ranked graduate school, CMU is selective in its PhD admissions. Once admitted, CMU BME has a regular PhD review process that tracks student progress and ensures supportive mentorship. As a result, the large majority of our students complete their PhD.

BME PhD Financial Support

All full time Ph.D. students accepted through the normal application process are provided continued support for the duration specified in the admission offer letter, subject to successful progress evaluated each semester, including tuition, fees and a competitive stipend.

Much of the efficiency of the Ph.D. Program, where most students graduate within 5 years, may be attributed to the early start of research and the rigorous system of performance assessment held...

Students start thesis research within a few weeks of matriculation. Research during the first year also defines the theme for the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination at the beginning of the second year.

CMU Student Associations

• Graduate Student Assembly
• Society of Hispanic Engineers

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PhD position on cartilage tissue engineering for joint restoration 100%

department at the University. We are located in the heart of Basel at 6 different locations. Be part of our future! The Cartilage Engineering group (Prof. Andrea Barbero) at the Department of Biomedicine

PostDoc to work on Electrospinning and Welding/Compositing Technologies for Tissue Engineering (80 - 100%)

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living

MDR Postdoctoral Researcher "Clinical translation of in situ tissue engineering "

synthetic implants that are transformed into living tissues by the body itself? Are you eager to contribute to better and sustainable healthcare through innovative tissue engineering approaches? Are you

Stem Cell, Differentiation and Gene Editing Specialist in the Tissue Engineering Unit

strong ability to multi-task and has a service-oriented mentality. The position involves working some weekends and holiday days during the year. The Unit The Tissue Engineering Facility is a scientific

Research Fellow in 3D Printing, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering

3D Bioprinting strategies for Tissue Engineering and the development of next generation medical devices. The project is part of the AMBER centre (http://ambercentre.ie) and the Trinity Centre

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Biomechanics-Inspired Tissue Engineering - School of Chemical Engineering , Faculty of EAIT

School of Chemical Engineering , Faculty of EAIT Join a university ranked in the world’s top 50 Biomechanics-Inspired Tissue Engineering Full-time, Fixed term for up to 12 months Based at our vibrant

Post-Doctoral Position: Development of a robotic system for training 3D skeletal muscle tissues engineered in vitro

Vacancies Post-Doctoral Position: Development of a robotic system for training 3D skeletal muscle tissues engineered in vitro Key takeaways Job Description The Neuro-Mechanical Modeling and

Biofabrication and Tissue Engineering expert

Medical Devices and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), pushing the boundaries of what is possible in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. ICAT offers an infrastructure for collaboration

PhD Position in Characterization of structural remodelling in tissue - engineered human skeletal muscles in vitro during multi-week eccentric training

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Postdoctoral Researcher in Biomaterials and Bioreactors for Tissue Engineering

as appropriate. You will hold a PhD/DPhil (or near completion) in a discipline of direct relevance to tissue engineering or regenerative medicine. Outstanding experience and competences with bioreactor

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Eye-gaze tracking system could dramatically improve kidney stone surgery training

Brenda Ellis

Aug 12, 2024, 3:18 PM

When kidney stone surgery is performed using an endoscope, about a fourth of those patients will require a repeat surgery within 20 months due to residual stone fragments being left behind. These remaining pieces can lead to obstruction, pain, kidney injury and recurrent infections.

Gaining and assessing surgical experience in endoscopic kidney stone surgery is particularly challenging given the limited field of view in the devices, said Jie Ying Wu , assistant professor of computer science at Vanderbilt University, whose research focuses on using machine learning techniques to transform surgical robots from a teleoperated tool to an intelligent assistant.

Wu models the interactions between surgeons and tissue to better understand operational environments. One of her research applications is skill assessment for kidney stone surgery and 3D reconstruction from endoscope images.

“Successful endoscopic stone surgery requires a surgeon to visualize the entire renal collecting system and locate all kidney stones during treatment,” Wu said. “Complete kidney navigation relies on clinical experience that associates with the risk of postoperative residual stone fragments.”

Wu is creating an eye-gaze sharing system to complement the current standard of care in which trainees get only verbal feedback. The system allows trainees to see the expert’s gaze. The expert can use their gaze in real time to point to objects on the screen or where the trainee should go next.

Gaze sharing has been shown to improve skill acquisition and retention in robot-assisted and laparoscopic surgical settings but has not been explored in the environment of ureteroscopy, said Wu, an affiliate of the  Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering . VISE is an interdisciplinary, trans-institutional entity designed to bring engineers and physicians together to impact health care.

“As our training system is solely composed of software running on augmented reality devices, all existing endoscopic and laparoscopic surgical procedures could, in principle, immediately benefit from the results of this project,” Wu said. “In this way, we believe the success of our project will improve training procedures and mitigate repeat complications or surgeries, benefiting patients, surgeons and society.”

Nicholas Kavoussi is Wu’s collaborator on the project. He is a minimally invasive urology surgeon at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Kavoussi also is a member of VISE and actively involved in multiple research projects furthering the integration of technology and surgery. “I really couldn’t do it without him,” said Wu, who also holds appointments in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

She is one of four Vanderbilt researchers who received a Vanderbilt Scaling Success Grant for “Development and Validation of Gaze-Based Training for Endoscopic Kidney Stone Surgery.” Scaling Success Grants aim to turn ambitious, early stage research proposals into tangible achievements and secure significant expanded external funding.

All Scaling Success applicants receive detailed feedback from reviewers, enhancing their chances for future success. “Having other perspectives will help us strengthen external proposals,” Wu said.

Wu has applied for external funding to evaluate whether the gaze-sharing platform improves complete kidney visualization.

Scaling Success is administered by  Research Development and Support  in the  Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation . The fund focuses on projects that have already shown potential and have received interest from sponsors. For more information on Scaling Success and other internal grant programs, visit the  Research Development and Support internal funding webpage .

Contact: [email protected]

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New Biomaterial Regrows Damaged Cartilage in Joints

A crucial component in joints, cartilage is notoriously difficult to repair.

The Problem

In adult humans, cartilage does not have an inherent ability to heal.

A bioactive material that regenerated high-quality cartilage in the knee joints of a large-animal model.

Why It Matters

The material someday could potentially be used to prevent full knee replacement surgeries, treat degenerative diseases, and repair sports-related injuries like ACL tears.

Professor Samuel Stupp; Jacob Lewis, Former Member of Stupp’s Lab

Northwestern Engineering scientists have developed a new bioactive material that successfully regenerated high-quality cartilage in the knee joints of a large-animal model.

Although it looks like a rubbery goo, the material is actually a complex network of molecular components, which work together to mimic cartilage’s natural environment in the body.

In the new study, the researchers applied the material to damaged cartilage in the animals’ knee joints. Within just six months, the researchers observed evidence of enhanced repair, including the growth of new cartilage containing the natural biopolymers (collagen II and proteoglycans), which enable pain-free mechanical resilience in joints.

With more work, the researchers say the new material someday could potentially be used to prevent full knee replacement surgeries, treat degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis, and repair sports-related injuries like ACL tears.

The study will be published during the week of Aug. 5 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences . 

“Cartilage is a critical component in our joints,” said Northwestern’s  Samuel I. Stupp , who led the study. “When cartilage becomes damaged or breaks down over time, it can have a great impact on people’s overall health and mobility. The problem is that, in adult humans, cartilage does not have an inherent ability to heal. Our new therapy can induce repair in a tissue that does not naturally regenerate. We think our treatment could help address a serious, unmet clinical need.”

Our new therapy can induce repair in a tissue that does not naturally regenerate. We think our treatment could help address a serious, unmet clinical need.

Samuel I. Stupp Board of Trustees Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Medicine, and Biomedical Engineering

A pioneer of regenerative nanomedicine, Stupp is Board of Trustees Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Medicine, and Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern, where he is founding director of the  Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology  and its affiliated center, the  Center for Regenerative Nanomedicine .

Stupp has appointments in the McCormick School of Engineering,  Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences , and  Feinberg School of Medicine . Jacob Lewis, a former PhD student in Stupp’s laboratory , is the paper’s first author.

What’s in the material?

The new study  follows recently published work  from the Stupp laboratory, in which the team used “dancing molecules” to activate human cartilage cells to boost the production of proteins that build the tissue matrix. Instead of using dancing molecules, the new study evaluates a hybrid biomaterial also developed in Stupp’s lab. The new biomaterial comprises two components: a bioactive peptide that binds to transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFb-1) — an essential protein for cartilage growth and maintenance — and modified hyaluronic acid, a natural polysaccharide present in cartilage and the lubricating synovial fluid in joints. 

“Many people are familiar with hyaluronic acid because it’s a popular ingredient in skincare products,” Stupp said. “It’s also naturally found in many tissues throughout the human body, including the joints and brain. We chose it because it resembles the natural polymers found in cartilage.”

Stupp’s team integrated the bioactive peptide and chemically modified hyaluronic acid particles to drive the self-organization of nanoscale fibers into bundles that mimic the natural architecture of cartilage. The goal was to create an attractive scaffold for the body’s own cells to regenerate cartilage tissue. Using bioactive signals in the nanoscale fibers, the material encourages cartilage repair by the cells, which populate the scaffold.

Clinically relevant to humans

To evaluate the material’s effectiveness in promoting cartilage growth, the researchers tested it in sheep with cartilage defects in the stifle joint, a complex joint in the hind limbs similar to the human knee. This work was carried out in the laboratory of Mark Markel in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

According to Stupp, testing in a sheep model was vital. Much like humans, sheep cartilage is stubborn and incredibly difficult to regenerate. Sheep stifles and human knees also have similarities in weight bearing, size and mechanical loads.

“A study on a sheep model is more predictive of how the treatment will work in humans,” Stupp said. “In other smaller animals, cartilage regeneration occurs much more readily.”

In the study, researchers injected the thick, paste-like material into cartilage defects, where it transformed into a rubbery matrix. Not only did new cartilage grow to fill the defect as the scaffold degraded, but the repaired tissue was consistently higher quality compared to the control.”

A lasting solution

In the future, Stupp imagines the new material could be applied to joints during open-joint or arthroscopic surgeries. The current standard of care is microfracture surgery, during which surgeons create tiny fractures in the underlying bone to induce new cartilage growth.

“The main issue with the microfracture approach is that it often results in the formation of fibrocartilage — the same cartilage in our ears — as opposed to hyaline cartilage, which is the one we need to have functional joints,” Stupp said. “By regenerating hyaline cartilage, our approach should be more resistant to wear and tear, fixing the problem of poor mobility and joint pain for the long term while also avoiding the need for joint reconstruction with large pieces of hardware.”

The study, “A Bioactive Supramolecular and Covalent Polymer Scaffold for Cartilage Repair in a Sheep Model,” was supported by the Mike and Mary Sue Shannon Family Fund for Bio-Inspired and Bioactive Materials Systems for Musculoskeletal Regeneration.

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• Whiting School of Engineering
• Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

• Johns Hopkins Biomedical Engineering
• Jennifer H. Elisseeff

Jennifer H. Elisseeff, PhD

Research Interests

Jennifer Elisseeff is the Morton Goldberg Professor of Ophthalmology at the School of Medicine, and the interim head of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, with an appointment in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. She is a pioneer in the development and commercial translation of injectable biomaterials for regenerative therapies.

Elisseeff was recently elected to the National Academy of Sciences. She was previously elected to the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Medicine and is the first Johns Hopkins faculty member to be elected to all three National Academies. She serves on the scientific advisory boards of Bausch and Lomb, Kythera Biopharmaceutical, and Cellular Bioengineering Inc. Elisseeff has received awards including the Carnegie Mellon Young Alumni Award, Arthritis Investigator Award from the Arthritis Foundation, Yasuda Award from the Society of Physical Regulation in Medicine and Biology, and was named by Technology Review magazine as a top innovator under 35 in 2002 and top 10 technologies to change the future. In 2008, she was elected a fellow in the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering and a Young Global Leader in the World Economic Forum. She has published more than 200 articles, book chapters, and patent applications and given more 130 national and international invited lectures.

Elisseeff received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University and a PhD in medical engineering from the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology. After doctoral studies, she was a Fellow at the National Institute of General Medical Sciences Pharmacology Research Associate Program where she worked in the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. In 2001, she became an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. In 2004, Elisseeff cofounded Cartilix, Inc., a startup that translated adhesive and biomaterial technologies for treating orthopedic disease, acquired by Biomet Inc in 2009. In 2009, she also founded Aegeria Soft Tissue and Tissue Repair, new startups focused on soft tissue regeneration and wound healing.

• Morton Goldberg Professor, Ophthalmology
• Professor, Biomedical Engineering
• Professor and Interim Head, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• Professor, Materials Science & Engineering
• Professor, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Affiliated Centers & Institutes

• Institute for Basic Biomedical Science
• Translational Tissue Engineering Center
• PhD, Biomedical Engineering, Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, 1999
• BS, Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, 1994

Recent Highlights

• May 2, 2022 Jennifer Elisseeff elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences Jennifer Elisseeff, professor of biomedical engineering, the Morton Goldberg Professor of Ophthalmology at the School of Medicine and director of...
• October 4, 2019 Jennifer Elisseeff receives NIH Director’s Pioneer Award Jennifer Elisseeff, a professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the director of the Johns Hopkins Translational Tissue Engineering Center, has been selected to receive the NIH Director's Pioneer Award. 
• February 9, 2018 Jennifer Elisseeff elected to National Academy of Engineering Jennifer Elisseeff awarded one of the highest professional distinctions for engineers for her 'outstanding contributions'

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Electrical and Computer Engineering

College of engineering.

Noninvasive Brain Stimulation at Unprecedented Resolution

• kristab(through)cmu.edu

In 2019, sitting in his office running computer simulations, Chaitanya Goswami, a Ph.D. student in Carnegie Mellon’s electrical and computer engineering department, noticed something that seemed too good to be true. The current patterns he had designed for focused non-invasive stimulation of the brain seemed to perform better than expected. It is well known that the skull disperses currents, reducing focus attained in the brain. Surprisingly, even when Chaitanya removed the skull in his simulations, the current pattern seemed as focused as with a skull.

“The skull became electrically transparent,” said Goswami. “I thought this was an error. These simulations, after all, take a lot of pieces to work together and small errors can have big implications.”

To get to these simulations, Chaitanya had hand-derived equations for how current in the brain can be described for an injected current pattern in the scalp. Chaitanya is a member of a team of researchers from  Carnegie Mellon University , who received a $11 million grant from the  Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) , to design a noninvasive neural interface that can be used as a wearable device for clinical applications and brain-machine interfacing.

Despite his skepticism, Goswami discussed these results with fellow team member Mats Forssell, a postdoctoral student in the electrical and computer engineering department, who was doing physics experiments. Forssell was using Goswami’s patterns to map the field generated in the brain using physics setups that mimic human tissue conductivity.

 “Strikingly, I was observing this ‘skull transparency’ experimentally,” Forssell noted.

Both got excited and published a co-authored work in the Journal of Neural Engineering. They also shared their observations with Vishal Jain, a neurobiologist who, along with Forssell, was building a novel platform for testing noninvasive stimulation in alive brain slices.

Jain’s platform was designed to test and improve strategies like this. The three joined hands to test these strategies experimentally in Jain’s platform.

“The results were a dramatic improvement over what clinicians do today. I immediately realized that this can have a deep practical impact on people’s healthcare,” said Jain.

In the first phase of the DARPA award, on Jain’s platform, the team successfully created a neural interface that is capable of recording and stimulating the brain's dynamic activity with high temporal and spatial resolution. This novel neural interface could enable unprecedented access to neural circuits to study brain function and dysfunction, as well as begin designing precise therapeutic interventions to treat neurological diseases and conditions such as epilepsy, pain, and depression.

However, the team faced a stumbling block. Implementing these strategies on animals, let alone humans, required electrode patches that are much higher density than current systems. For implementations such as these, the team asked for help from Derya Tansel, a Ph.D. student in the electrical and computer engineering department, and an expert in flexible, wearable electronics.

“For this project, I designed high-density patches for rodents, monkeys, and humans and all of them provided strong evidence that the team’s ‘SharpFocus’ strategies are radical improvements over what is possible today,” said Tensel. “It has been a really exciting opportunity to learn from the biologists and implement their experiences on top of our own experiences into making a suitable FlexPCB patch that will fit the test subject well.”

The translation of rodent work to monkeys was led by Maxwell Murphy, a postdoctoral fellow, and Darcy Griffin, special faculty in Neuroscience Institute at Carnegie Mellon.

“We were also a little bit surprised the first time it worked. It’s been exciting to apply the theoretical models developed using data from a small animal model to generate empirical results in a large one,” said Murphy.

“So far, we have been able to demonstrate the ability to steer current in the motor cortex. In fact, the patterns are focused enough to reproduce the known brain representations for the arm and hand,” Griffin said.

Now in Phase 3, the team has initiated testing on human subjects.

“The project has made dramatic advances in stimulating large and small animals, non-invasively,” says Pulkit Grover, the Angel Jordan Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and lead PI. “The resolution of our stimulation – in both space and time – is unprecedented. We are now translating these techniques to humans as well as collaborating with clinicians on testing them for treatments of neurological conditions.” 

DARPA's  "Next-generation Nonsurgical Neurotechnology" (N 3 ) program  aims to develop high-performance, bi-directional brain-machine interfaces. The team's techniques synthesize concepts in physics, biology, optimization, and artificial intelligence, to obtain unprecedented resolution of non-invasive stimulation.

A collaborative effort, the project draws from expertise across Carnegie Mellon University’s College of Engineering. The team of researchers is led by Pulkit Grover. Faculty researchers include Maysam Chamanzar, the Dr. William D. and Nancy W. Strecker Career Development Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Doug Weber, the Akhtar and Bhutta Professor of Mechanical Engineering and researcher from the Neuroscience Institute, Darcy Griffin, special faculty researcher from the Neuroscience Institute, and Gary Fedder, the Howard M. Wilkoff Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Related People

• Maysam Chamanzar
• Gary Fedder
• Pulkit Grover