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Laboratories
The
research laboratories housed in the Center for Biomedical Engineering and the investigators directing the labs
are listed below. Click on the lab name to learn more.
- Biodynamics
Laboratory (Dr. Shapiro )
The faculty involved in the Biodynamics Laboratory
have the capability to observe and analyze human and animal motion using
high speed cinematography, videography, force plates, accelerometers,
electromyography, and computers.
- Biomedical
Instrumentation Laboratory (staff)
This laboratory provides an environment for teaching
applied biomedical electronics, instrumentation and experimentation.
It is also used by students who conduct independent studies in biomedical
instrumentation.
- Bio-Photonics Laboratory (Dr. Yu)
This laboratory develops optical spectroscopy/tomography for in-vivo measurements of blood flow, oxygenation and oxygen metabolism in normal and diseased tissues of animals and humans. The motivation is to explore the feasibility of optical instruments for diagnosis of various diseases and longitudinal monitoring of therapies. The goal is to create a strong bio-photonics research and teaching program, which vertically integrates physics, optics, engineering and clinical applications.
- Bone Mechanotransduction Laboratory (Dr. Saunders)
The focus of the mechanotransduction laboratory is to study the effects of mechanical loading on bone at the macroscopic and microscopic level. Understanding that bone cells respond in concert to enable bone adaptation to mechanical loading, our group utilizes a variety of in vitro (cell) and ex vivo (organ culture) stimulatory models to study the response of mechanical stimulation on bone cells. Specific models include in vitro fluid shear, substrate deformation and co-culture stimulation systems and ex vivo systems include 3- and 4-pt bending. The effects of mechanical stimulation are quantified through biological assays for in vitro systems and biological assays and structural (mechanical) testing for ex vivo systems. Future plans include the incorporation of in vivo (exercise) models of stimulation. While osteoporosis is a central research theme in the lab, mechanotransduction research also has applications to regenerative medicine and bone/implant interfacing in the orthopaedic and dental fields.
- Cardiac Rhythm
Laboratory (Dr. Patwardhan)
The focus of research conducted in the rhythm dynamics laboratory is
on the use of linear and non-linear systems and signal analysis techniques
to investigate the dynamics of cardiovascular function.
- Cardiovascular Laboratory (Dr. Knapp / J. Evans)
Research conducted in this laboratory investigates changes in cardiovascular control in humans exposed to simulated space flight and countermeasures to cardiovascular deconditioning. The fluid mechanics of blood flow is also investigated.
- Cellular Mechanobiology and Engineering Lab (Dr. Shin)
Our research addresses fundamental, but elusive, issues regarding the role of mechanical forces in controlling human biology, specifically identifying the cellular component(s) responsible for sensing and converting mechanical forces into a biological event (i.e., mechanotransduction). Current efforts focus on the involvement of fluid mechanics in regulating the functions of cardiovascular cells (e.g., endothelium, white blood cells) involved in physiological processes (e.g., inflammation, blood vessel remodeling). Our objective is to answer two basic questions: 1) how mechanical stresses serve as regulators of vascular cell activity and 2) how dysregulated vascular mechanotransduction contributes to the onset/progression of human diseases. For this purpose, we adopt a bioengineering approach at the interface between modern physics and the biological sciences to define the role of mechanics in the biology of the cell and, from these efforts, develop novel research tools, therapeutic approaches, and tissue engineering strategies.
- Computational Physiology Laboratory (Dr. Bruce)
Research in this laboratory addresses the detection and diagnosis of abnormal physiological behaviors that result from disease or injury through the use of advanced methods of signal processing and computational modeling. The goal of one current project is to develop novel methods of analzying electroencephalogram signals in order to detect brain injury. The goal of a second project is to develop a simulation model of injury to the brain and heart resulting from impaired oxygen delivery during and following exposure to carbon monoxide.
- Computer Simulation Laboratory
This general use laboratory offers teaching and research opportunities
to faculty and students. Numerous PC’s and workstations provide
an environment for learning computer simulation of biological systems
and developing approaches to the modeling of a variety of biomedical
processes.
- Magnetic
Resonance Imaging Laboratory (Peter Hardy)
Our research focuses on the use of medical imaging techniques particularly
magnetic resonance imaging to investige various diseases. One research
project uses MR imaging to follow the changes in the composition, shape
and thickness of articular cartilage with the progression of osteoarthritis.
In a second project we are using imaging to better understand the events
occuring following a spinal cord injury. Using rodent models and implanted
radiofrequency coils we are able to obtain very high resolution images
of the rodent spinal cord and to measure changes occuring with injury
and recovery. A newer area of attention for our laboratory is the use
of imaging to better understand the development of Parkinson's disease
by measuring the accumulation of iron in the basal ganglia structures
of the brain.
- Orthopaedic
Biomechanics Laboratory (Dr. Pienkowski)
Mechanical testing of hard and soft tissues are
the primary focus of this laboratory, two Instron servo-hydraulic mechanical
testing systems provide compression, tension, bending and torsional
testing capabilities of hard and soft tissue and a variety of prosthetic
devices.
- Pulmonary
Mechanics Laboratory (Dr. Lai-Fook)
This laboratory has developed equipment and procedures
for measuring tissue pressure and pleural liquid pressure acting to
expand the lung.
- Tissue-Implant Interface Laboratory (Dr. Puleo)
The overall objective of the work conducted in this laboratory is to develop biomaterials that enable control of cellular events at the tissue-implant interface.
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