Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering
Duke BME research focuses on three broad areas of biotechnology: protein engineering, cellular engineering, and tissue engineering.
Much of the department's efforts are focused through the Center for Biomolecular Tissue Engineering.
Protein engineering concerns the design of proteins and oligopeptides that elicit specific ligand-receptor interactions or that can be used to develop targeted drug therapies. Cellular engineering research focuses on the regulation of the external and internal environment of cells for promoting specific expression of biomolecules, improving drug and gene delivery, or facilitating tissue engineering. The purpose of our tissue engineering work is two fold: the design or modification of matrices that promote or inhibit specific interactions with proteins, cells, and tissues; and the production of ordered ensembles of cells for therapeutic or technical applications.
Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering Faculty
Anderson-Rupp Professor
Dr. Barr's research interests include bioelectricity and biomedical computing.
Associate Professor
Bursac's research interests include 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.
Theo Pilkington Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Director of Graduate Studies
Chilkoti's research focuses on biomolecular materials and biointerface science and emphasizes the development of applications that span the range from bioseparations, biosensors, patterned biomaterials, and targeted drug delivery.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Gersbach’s research interests are in gene therapy, biomolecular and cellular engineering, regenerative medicine, and synthetic biology.
Assistant Professor
Dr. Hoffman’s research focuses on understanding, on a molecular level, how mechanical and chemical cues from the environment are detected, integrated, and manipulated by cells to dictate physiological and patho-physiological responses important in vascular biology.
Professor
Professor Izatt's research interests are in the area of biophotonics and include coherence-based biomedical imaging and microscopy, novel technologies for ophthalmic imaging, and nanoscale studies of cellular morphology and dynamics.
Nello L. Teer, Jr. Professor
Dr. Katz's research interest include methods for prophylaxis against STD's, emphasizing topical microbicides and contraception; biofluid mechanics; rheology and transport phenomena; biophysical aspects of mammalian sperm motility, sperm transport, and fertilization; and biomechanical functioning of...
Assistant Research Professor (primary appt: Surgery-Plastic Max & Oral Surgery)
The primary basic science research interests of our laboratory are in the area of physiological mechanisms of maintaining substrate transport from blood to tissue. This broad topic covers studies on whole animals, such as rats and mice, as well as studies on whole organ, hemorheological,...
James B. Duke Professor
Leong's research interest focuses on biomaterials design, particularly on synthesis of nanoparticles for DNA-based therapeutics, and nanostructured biomaterials for regenerative medicine.
Professor (joint with Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science)
Prof. Lopez' professional interests lie in research and education in biomaterials science and engineering, bioanalytical chemistry and biointerfacial phenomena.
Alan L. Kaganov Professor and Associate Dean for Diversity and Ph.D. Education
Reichert's research interests include biosensors, protein mediated cell adhesion, and wound healing.
Professor and Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Research in Setton's laboratory is focused on the role of mechanical factors in the degeneration and repair of soft tissues of the musculoskeletal system, including the intervertebral disc, articular cartilage and meniscus.
R. Eugene and Susie E. Goodson Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Research
Dr. Truskey's research interests include cardiovascular tissue engineering, mechanisms of atherogenesis, cell adhesion, and cell biomechanics.
Theodore Kennedy Associate Professor and Director of Master's Studies
Dr. Wax's research interests include optical spectroscopy for early cancer detection, novel microscopy and interferometry techniques.
Fitzpatrick Family University Professor of Engineering and Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
West's research in biomaterials, nanotechnology and tissue engineering involves the synthesis, development, and application of novel biofunctional materials, and the use of biomaterials and engineering approaches to study biological problems.
Associate Professor
Dr. You's research interest focus on computational systems biology & synthetic biology, including mathematical modeling of cellular networks; mechanisms of information processing by gene networks; design, modeling and construction of robust gene networks for applications in engineering and...
Professor
Dr. Yuan's research interests include drug and gene delivery, mechanisms of molecular transport in cells and tissues, and tumor pathophysiology.
Sternberg Family Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Alfred M. Hunt Faculty Scholar and Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Director of Graduate Studies
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 and atomic force...