Biomedical Engineering Fall 2021 Update
An explosion in research breakthroughs
Dear BME community,
Over the past several months, research breakthroughs at the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota have surged.
To name a few, our faculty recently have:
- Developed a polymer ‘wafer’ that could deliver vaccines of the future;
- Made a game-changing discovery that’s providing clues to a decades-old mystery about cell movement;
- Attracted industry investment for a groundbreaking auditory nerve implant;
- Developed a first-of-its-kind cryopreservation method;
- Identified a potential therapeutic target for treating sickle cell disease;
- Created a simpler method for understanding cell population dynamics;
- Developed novel approaches to identify targets for atrial fibrillation ablation;
- Found that stretching of neurons is implicated in traumatic brain injury; and
- Helped validate a microchip sensor featured on the cover of Science Advances.
The momentum continues as students return to campus to join our research efforts and spur their own. To welcome back our grad students, we hosted our first-ever 5K and picnic in a scenic park along the Mississippi River. We feel fortunate to gather together again!
We share our research discoveries and more news below, including an introduction to our department’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Coordinator, a new role funded in part by a gift from Medtronic.
As always, we hope this issue serves as a source of pride for our alums and spurs collaborations with our broader community, who work at companies, academic institutions, and other organizations across the globe.
Brenda Ogle
Professor and Head
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Top Story
Student spotlight: Ilsa Shobe
BME senior Ilsa Shobe is training as a speed skater in Salt Lake City, with a goal of making the Olympic team. This semester, she’s pursuing a research project related to biomechanics and speed skating in collaboration with U.S. Speedskating and UMN faculty.
Community Highlight
BME hires Gabbi Horsford as DEI Coordinator
Gabbi Horsford has joined the BME department in a newly created DEI Coordinator position. Her role is funded in part by a gift from Medtronic, which shares our goal of developing an inclusive field, educating diverse talent, and retaining a diverse workforce.
Research Highlights
BME-developed polymer ‘wafers’ could deliver vaccines of the future
A team of BME researchers led by Associate Professor Chun Wang have created a new way to effectively deliver and preserve vaccines.
BME study provides clues to decades-old mystery about cell movement
The game-changing discovery from Professor Robert Tranquillo and team impacts tissue engineering, wound healing, and cancer research.
Groundbreaking auditory nerve implant attracts industry investment
Technology provider Blackrock Neurotech is investing in a novel auditory nerve implant device that restores hearing for the deaf. Professor Hubert Lim serves as lead researcher in this NIH-supported effort.
New method preserves viable fruit fly embryos in liquid nitrogen
Professor John Bischof and team have developed a first-of-its-kind cryopreservation method critical to genetics research and scientific breakthroughs benefiting human health.
BME researchers identify potential therapeutic target for treating sickle cell disease
New research from Associate Professor Dave Wood shows methionine aminopeptidase 2 (MetAP2) inhibitors could be a therapeutic target for treating sickle cell disease.
BME researchers develop a simpler method for understanding cell dynamics
The method from Associate Professor Casim Sarkar and team may provide new quantitative insights into the dynamics of cell populations that could have applications in cancer research and engineering of stem cells.
BME research develops novel approaches to identify targets for atrial fibrillation ablation
The new approaches developed by Professor Alena Talkachova and team could potentially help guide catheter ablation, a procedure for treating atrial fibrillation.
BME study finds stretching of neurons implicated in traumatic brain injury
Research from Associate Professor Patrick Alford and team could lead to treatments that limit or prevent long-term harm after a concussion.
BME researchers help validate microchip sensor featured on the cover of Science Advances
The technology could give patients a rapid and low-cost way to monitor their hormone levels and better manage chronic inflammation, stress, and other conditions. Professor Hubert Lim’s lab contributed to research.
Student Highlight
Jules Anh Tuan Nguyen receives UMN-wide Best Dissertation Award
The University of Minnesota Graduate School named Jules Anh Tuan Nguyen as winner of the 2021 Best Dissertation Award for the physical sciences and engineering category.