Area of Study:
Molecular Bioengineering & Nanotechnology
Molecular Bioengineering and Nanotechnology applies molecular sciences to biomedical applications. Investigators in the thrust take advantage of the nanoscale advances in physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering biosciences, and medicine. Study of naturally occurring molecules and their self-assembly leads to the development of new materials that build themselves from biological and synthetic molecules. This thrust has two exciting initiatives that spring from successful research with the department. Molecular Biomechanics focuses on the elucidation of the mechanical properties of molecular systems, as well as on the development of mechanical systems based on engineered biomolecules. Smart Drug Delivery will develop new molecularly based methods of delivery of therapeutic molecules to the body. These new systems will operate with feedback response to body signals, and with targeting and transport of stable or temporarily stabilized pharmaceuticals (e.g., prodrugs) around and through many biological barriers. These challenges will involve many people, centers, initiatives, and resources that are already in place at UW. At the same time, the successful research effort continues in cellular biomechanics, the quantitative assessment of cellular function and the principles that underlie muscular function.
The thrust area on Molecular Bioengineering and Nanotechnology starts its students with the senior-level course on Advanced Molecular Bioengineering. Students can branch into the course in BioMEMS or than can progress through the Molecular Bioengineering that span the field from receptors to nanotechnology. We will maintain a course sequence to serve students who are interested in biomechanics. After taking a senior elective course (BIOEN 440), students can take BIOEN 522, Biomechanics of Soft Tissue, and BIOEN 555, Molecular and Cellular Biomechanics.
The chart below summarizes courses that guide students through Molecular Bioengineering and Nanotechnology.
