Cancer bioengineering

Graphic depicting how the lab is improving thermal flow assays: 1) Sample pad, 2) Conjugate pad, 3) Membrane, 4) Absorbant pad. Indicates test, control, and backing steps.

Thermally manipulating biomaterials

The Bischof group studies the thermophysical and biological changes within biomaterials after thermal manipulations. For example, they’re using nanoparticles to rewarm preserved tissues and organs and developing energy-based technologies to improve cancer immunotherapies.

biomedical image showcasing the mucosal area.

Engineering the immune response

The Hartwell Immunoengineering Lab uses biomolecular engineering, drug delivery, and immunology to develop molecular vaccines and immunotherapies that direct the immune response towards activation or tolerance by targeting specific cells and tissues, with a focus on the mucosal immune system.

Image at the cellular level using imaging technology. Shows cluster with various colored arrows indicating the level of traction stress (Pa) from 0 to 1,500; more stress shown at the edges. Shown at a scale of 20 um. U251.

How cellular functions go awry

The Odde Lab aims to understand basic cellular functions in the context of diseases such as brain cancer and Alzheimer's. The team develops physics-based models that predict cell behavior, then use computer simulation and live cell imaging to identify potential therapeutic strategies.

Image at the microscopic level using imaging technology. Vivid reds, purples and blues against a black background.

Bioengineering cancer therapies

Paolo Provenzano’s lab is developing new ways to combat cancer. Approaches include re-engineering tumor microenvironments to remove tumor-promoting cues, enhancing drug delivery, promoting anti-tumor immune responses, and developing next-generation cell-based therapies.

Image at the cellular level using imaging technology. Shows bright green patches against a gray background.

Understanding protein networks

The Sarkar laboratory uses biomolecular and cellular engineering approaches to elucidate how protein networks drive health-related processes at the cellular level. The group also uses such knowledge to intervene in dysregulated networks in disease and to create cellular therapeutics with new functionalities.

Medical devices from the Living Devices Lab. Two clear devices; one with red lines and one with yellow.

Microphysiologic systems to study disease

The Living Devices Lab is focused on building benchtop systems that mimic human disease outside the human body. We use microfluidics and microfabrication to create engineered tissues in which we control biological components and transport processes at the length scale that is relevant to physiology and pathology.

cancer cells

Cancer Bioengineering Initiative

The Cancer Bioengineering Initiative infuses engineering into cancer clinical trials so more trials lead to cancer treatments. Leaders include Biomedical Engineering faculty members David Odde, Paolo Provenzano, and David Wood.

More about the Cancer Bioengineering Initiative