Technological advancements in mechanical engineering have greatly benefited the domain of biology and medicine. Primarily, mechanical engineers apply fundamental engineering principles to build useful tools, devices, and systems for the biomedical field.

Our group is diverse with research spanning a broad range of biological and medical systems. Projects include developing new diagnostics for cancer and infectious diseases, investigating the mechanics of traumatic brain injury, modeling the inner workings of the human eye, and much more.

Specialties

  • Biomechanics and Biofluids
  • Cellular and Molecular Systems and Instrumentation
  • Diagnostics and Biomedical Devices
  • Integrated Biological Systems
  • Tissue and Organ Systems

Faculty

Affiliated Groups, Centers, and Institutes

Merging Mechanical Engineering and Medicine

Setting the bar for biotechnology

Toward More Accurate Diagnostic Testing - A Whiting School team led by Ishan Barman has described a novel nanomaterial that enables fast and highly sensitive single-molecule detection using SERS. The team’s invention could pave the way for rapid and more accurate diagnostic testing.

Origami-inspired Heart Implants - Sung Hoon Kang is creating a 3D-printed heart implant for babies with congenital heart defects. The origami-inspired device will grow along with the tiny patient over time, eliminating the need for multiple risky replacement surgeries.

Portable, Rapid Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections - A Johns Hopkins University-led team has created an inexpensive portable device and cellphone app to diagnose gonorrhea in less than 15 minutes and determine if a particular strain will respond to frontline antibiotics.

Engineering Better Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Treatments - SJ Claire Hur is developing a microfluidics device that can collect and genetically modify tumor cells from the blood samples of metastatic breast cancer patients, enabling scientists to develop and test personalized treatment plans. Read her Q&A with the Hub.

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