BS in Biomedical Engineering Cell and Tissue Engineering Track

This area involves the more recent attempts to understand and attack biomedical problems at the microscopic level and to use such knowledge to begin to engineer replacement tissues and organs from individual cells. Knowledge of anatomy, biochemistry, and the mechanics of cellular and sub-cellular structures is necessary in order to understand disease processes and to be able to intervene at very specific sites. With such knowledge a number of approaches have been or are being developed. These range from the development of miniature devices to deliver compounds that can stimulate or inhibit cellular processes at precise target locations in order to promote healing or inhibit disease formation and progression to the newer techniques that have produced replacement skin and one day will produce heart valves, coronary vessels, and even whole hearts. This area also includes the development of artificial materials used for implantation. Understanding the properties and behavior of living material is vital in the design of implant materials.