Biosensors and Bioinstrumentation
Research in the fields of biosensors and bioinstrumentation utilizes recent advances in biochemistry, electronics, omics (genomics, epigenetics, proteomics), and physiology to develop novel diagnostic, therapeutic, and prosthetic devices.
Duke biosensor researchers engineer macro- and nano-scale devices that utilize biological components, such as antibodies or enzymes, to detect and quantify minute amounts of chemicals or investigate biological process in diverse systems and environments.
Duke bioinstrumentation researchers create and disseminate diverse health care technologies and know-how around the world, especially focusing on the developing world. The biosensors and bioinstrumentation research communities at Duke are supported and enhanced by the Fitzpatrick Institute for Photonics and the Duke Global Health Institute.
Primary Faculty
Ashutosh Chilkoti
Alan L. Kaganov Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Research Interests: 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.
Yiyang Gong
Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering
Research Interests: We're interested in recording and understanding brain activity by developing novel combinations of optical microscopy and genetically encoded sensors. Using these technologies, we wish to dissect neural circuit function and investigate how neural activity drives complex behaviors. Specialties:...
Roarke Horstmeyer
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering (beginning Summer 2018)
Research Interests: New ways to capture and process biomedical images; development of microscopes, cameras and computer algorithms for a wide range of applications.
Joseph A. Izatt
Michael J. Fitzpatrick Professor of Engineering in the Edmund T. Pratt, Jr. School of Engineering
Research Interests: 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.
Mark L. Palmeri
Associate Professor of the Practice in the Department of Biomedical Engineering
Research Interests: Dr. Palmeri's research interests include ultrasonic imaging, specifically using acoustic radiation force to characterize the mechanical properties of tissue, and finite element analysis of soft tissue response to impulsive radiation force excitation. Other research interests include ultrasonic...
Jonathan Viventi
Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering
Research Interests: Dr. Viventi's research uses flexible electronics to create new technology for interfacing with the brain at high resolution over large areas. These new tools can help diagnose and treat neurological disorders such as epilepsy, and help improve the performance of brain machine interfaces.
Adam P. Wax
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Research Interests: Dr. Wax's research interests include optical spectroscopy for early cancer detection, novel microscopy and interferometry techniques.
Patrick D. Wolf
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Research Interests: Wolf's research is primarily in the area of advanced instrumentation for diagnosis and treatment of electrophysiological problems. This research covers two primary organ systems: the heart and the brain. In the heart, Dr. Wolf is developing an image guided ablation system for treatment of...
Junjie Yao
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Research Interests: Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) technologies, and translating PAT advances into diagnostic and therapeutic applications, especially in functional brain imaging and early cancer theranostics.
Secondary Faculty
Tony Jun Huang
Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Research Interests: Acoustofluidics, microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip, biomedical micro-electro-mechanical systems (BioMEMS), optofluidics, plasmofluidics
Research Faculty
Cameron R. Bass
Associate Research Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Research Interests: Dr. Bass's research interests include the biomechanics of blast, blunt and ballistic trauma and pediatric trauma. His research focuses on injury risk from microscale to macroscale for the head, neck, thorax and extremities.