Category Archives: BioEngineering

Requirements A student studying for the Ph.D. degree must first complete a masters degree (45 units) and must, in essence, fulfill the requirements for the Stanford M.S. degree in Bioengineering. A minimum of 135 units is required. Up to 45 units of masters degree residency units may be counted towards the degree. The maximum number of transfer units is 45. Students may be admitted directly to the Ph.D. program if they have completed a M.S. degree prior to matriculation at Stanford. At least 90 units of work must be completed at Stanford. Prior to being formally admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree, the student must demonstrate knowledge of bioengineering fundamentals and a potential for research by passing a qualifying oral examination. In addition to the course requirements of the M.S. degree, doctoral candidates must complete a minimum of 15 additional units of approved formal course work (excluding research, directed study, and seminars). Students must complete and defend a doctoral dissertation. Choosing a research lab Students will be assigned an initial faculty advisor on the basis of the research interests expressed in their application. Initial faculty advisors will assist students in selecting courses and identifying research opportunities. The Department will … Continue reading →

IMAGE:Samarendra Mohanty, an assistant professor of physics, leads the Biophysics and Physiology Lab in the UT Arlington College of Science. view more Credit: UT Arlington ARLINGTON, Texas -- A new study by a University of Texas at Arlington physics team in collaboration with bioengineering and psychology researchers shows for the first time how a small area of the brain can be optically stimulated to control pain. Samarendra Mohanty, an assistant professor of physics, leads the Biophysics and Physiology Lab in the UT Arlington College of Science. He is co-author on a paper published online Wednesday by the journal PLOS ONE. Researchers found that by using specific frequency of light to modulate a very small region of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex, or ACC, they could considerably lessen pain in laboratory mice. Existing electrode based ACC stimulation lacks specificity and leads to activation of both excitatory and inhibitory neurons. "Our results clearly demonstrate, for the first time, that optogenetic stimulation of inhibitory neurons in ACC leads to decreased neuronal activity and a dramatic reduction of pain behavior," Mohanty said. "Moreover, we confirmed optical modulation of specific electrophysiological responses from different neuronal units in the thalamus part of the brain, … Continue reading →

Contact Information Available for logged-in reporters only Newswise A preliminary study conducted by researchers funded by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) may improve our prediction of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Every year more than 40 million people worldwide suffer from mTBI(1). 3.8 million concussions occur in the US each year during sports and recreation alone(2). Most often mTBI affects competitive athletes in contact sports, as well as soldiersthose with jobs where repeated jolts and impacts can cause the brain to move inside the skull with enough force to cause damage. However, recent research has shown that even those playing sports not usually considered contact sports such as baseball, as well as amateur athletes, are suffering from neurodegenerative diseases that seem consistent with mTBI. The problem is that while some patients with mTBI experience a loss of consciousness or concussion at the time of the injury, many do not. This can mean that those who have mTBI may not immediately realize the extent of their injury since the appearance of symptoms can occur hours or even days later. Others may feel some symptoms earlier, but do not report them because they do not want to be … Continue reading →

Bioengineering addresses unmet challenges that make a difference in the world At UW Bioengineering, we devise innovative solutions to open-ended, unmet challenges in biology, health and medicine. Our faculty and students are exploring solutions in the following biomedical research areas: Bioengineers have the tools to approach unmet challenges from multiple perspectives. Lets examine the challenge of developing better cancer therapies. Current cancer therapies are marginally effective and have adverse side effects. Biochemists, computer scientists, biologists and bioengineers approach this problem differently. Bioengineering focuses on integrative applications and solves problems left unanswered by engineering and physical/life science disciplines. By studying bioengineering, students participate in a truly unique academic experience. Fields such as Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering, and Electrical Engineering explore connections between engineering and the physical and quantitative sciences. Biochemistry and Oceanography form at the intersection of the life, physical and quantitative sciences. Civil and Environmental Engineering applies engineering principles to specific life science disciplines. However, only Bioengineering reaches across the boundaries of nearly every scientific and engineering major available at the University of Washington. See the original post: Is Bioengineering Right for Me? - UW Bioengineering … Continue reading →

Associate Professor in Bioengineering AssociateProfessor in Electrical and Computer Engineering Modern Optical Instrumentation and Bio-imaging Laboratory Postdoctoral Fellow, Applied Optics, The University of Arizona, Tucson (2002 2003) Postdoctoral Fellow, Biomedical Imaging, The University of Arizona, Tucson(2001 2002) Ph.D. Optical Engineering and Physical Optics, Optical Engineering Div.of the Institute of Micromechanics & Photonics, Warsaw Universityof Technology, Warsaw, Poland (2000) MS. Eng. Optical Engineering, Department of Mechatronics, Warsaw Universityof Technology, Warsaw, Poland (1994) Tomasz Tkaczyk specializes in the development of modern optical instruments that combine advanced technologies in optics, opto-mechanics, electronics and software, and bio-chemical materials for the early detection and treatment of diseases, such as cancer. Tkaczyks basic, applied, and translational research is leading to the development of new imaging technologies that are compact, robust, portable, inexpensive, and adaptable to mass production. The compact optical imaging systems are ideal for point-of-care diagnostics in various clinical settings around the world. Tkaczyk isthe principal investigator (PI) on anNIH R01research project tobuild and test an advanced dual-functioning medical instrument called the Bi-FOV Endoscope. The five-year investigator-initiated project involves several institutions and three subcontractors for the development of an integrated optical needle that works with contrast agents to provide real-time cancer detection. The endoscope is … Continue reading →

SINGAPORE: A scientific breakthrough in rechargeable battery technology could result in the doubling of the energy capacity of lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used to power smartphones, medical devices and electric vehicles. The researchers from A*STAR's Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) and Quebec's Hydro-Quebec's research institute (IREQ) have synthesised silicate-based nanoboxes that could more than double the capacity compared to conventional phosphate-based cathodes, both institutes said in the joint press release on Wednesday (Feb 25). IBN researchers have successfully achieved simultaneous control of the phase purity and nanostructure of Li2MnSiO4 for the first time, said Professor Jackie Y Ying, IBN Executive Director. This novel synthetic approach would allow us to move closer to attaining the ultrahigh theoretical capacity of silicate-based cathodes for battery applications. The five-year research collaboration between IBN and IREQ was established in 2011. The researchers plan to further enhance their new cathode materials to create high-capacity lithium-ion batteries for commercialisation, the press release stated. Read the original here: Singapore, Canada researchers make longer-lasting lithium battery breakthrough … Continue reading →

SINGAPORE, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- Researchers from Singapore's Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) of A*STAR and Quebec's IREQ (Hydro-Quebec's research institute) have synthesised silicate-based nanoboxes that could more than double the energy capacity of lithium-ion batteries as compared to conventional phosphate-based cathodes. This breakthrough could hold the key to longer-lasting rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles and mobile devices, a joint statement said. Commenting on the breakthrough, Professor Jackie Y. Ying, IBN Executive Director said that IBN researchers have successfully achieved simultaneous control of the phase purity and nanostructure of Li2MnSiO4 for the first time "This novel synthetic approach would allow us to move closer to attaining the ultrahigh theoretical capacity of silicate-based cathodes for battery applications." Director Energy Storage and Conservation at Hydro-Quebec, Dr. Karim Zaghib meanwhile said, "IBN's expertise in synthetic chemistry and nanotechnology allows us to explore new synthetic approaches and nanostructure design to achieve complex materials that pave the way for breakthroughs in battery technology, especially regarding transportation electrification." Lithium-ion batteries are widely used to power many electronic devices, including smart phones, medical devices and electric vehicles. Its high energy density, excellent durability and lightness make them a popular choice for energy storage. Due to a … Continue reading →

Who doesnt like blue jeans? Theyre practically wrinkle-proof. The indigo dye that provides their distinctive color holds up to detergents, but ages into that soft, worn look. No wonder the average American wears jeans four days a week. No wonder its a $66 billion a year industry, with three billion pairs of jeans manufactured each year. Indigo is one of the oldest dyes used for coloring textiles. For thousands of years it was extracted from tropical plants in Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. An indigo-dyed garment discovered in a Thebes excavation dates back to 2500 B.C. Commercial synthesis of indigo dye replaced the plant source around 1900. Today, the jean industry uses about 40,000 tons of indigo a year. But there is a dark side. Industrial synthesis of indigo from petroleum is a dirty chemical process. Chemical production of indigo into an effective dye requires a chemical that becomes toxic to fish and some other aquatic life. And when sent to waste water treatment plants, it severely corrodes the piping. Jeans manufacturers are interested in finding a cleaner route to produce the iconic dye. Berkeley bioengineering professor John Dueber has studied the chemical steps plants use to naturally … Continue reading →

World News Videos | ABC World NewsCopy A wedding dress designer is making her debut at New York fashion week today and her latest creation doesn't come with a veil. It does, however, come with a face shield. That's because Jill Andrews put her talents toward designing a better protective Ebola suit with a team at Johns Hopkins University. "Its all engineering," Andrews said in a statement. "If you can build a bra, you can build a bridge." JHU/Jhpiego/Clinvue PHOTO: The current personal protective equipment is shown next to the new prototype Ebola protective suit in this infographic. At its largest, the team had about 80 people, and worked since October to perfect the existing Ebola suit, said project manager Matthew Petney, who works at the Johns Hopkins Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design. Although the suit is still a work in progress, Petney said he hopes it will save time, money and energy -- not to mention that it will better protect people working with patients. The suit is one piece instead of five, and can be removed in less than five minutes instead of more than 20 minutes, according to an infographic from Johns Hopkins. Because of this … Continue reading →

Current departmental funding opportunities are listed below. We also welcome PhD applications throughout the year from students with independent scholarship funding. However, we cannot normally accept applicants wishing to support themselves with personal funds. Such applications may be considered but will require additional departmental approval. * overseas applicants must be able to cover the difference between Home & Overseas tuition fees The ESPRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Neurotechnology for Life and Health spans the Faculties of Engineering, Natural Sciences and Medicine at Imperial, with investigators from the Departments of Bioengineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Computing, Chemistry, Physics, Life Sciences, and the Division of Brain Sciences. The CDT offers 4-year studentships comprising an initial MRes year and 3 years of PhD. Visit the CDT projects page for details of studetnships awarded for October 2014. Further studentships for October 2015 start will be advertised in November 2014. PhD applicants to Bioengineering may also be nominated for some of the available College scholarships. Please visit the College Scholarships page for full details of all PhD scholarships available and application processes. PLEASE NOTE: If applying for funding, you should contact your chosen supervisor well before the deadlines listed above to ensure … Continue reading →