Human biological systems interact with materials and forces – in and outside of the body – daily. The interdisciplinary faculty in the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering study these interactions in the research areas of biomaterials, biomechanics and mechanobiology, discovering how natural and synthetic materials and solid and fluid mechanics interact with biological systems at multiple length scales.
Faculty design biomimetic systems to study and control cell processes, bioactive scaffolds that promote the regeneration of complex tissues and tissue interfaces, and target-specific drug delivery systems to treat disease. We characterize how the cellular mechanical environment and extracellular matrix drive cell behaviors in diseases such as cancer and osteoarthritis and processes like tissue growth and wound healing. Using noninvasive imaging and computational modeling, we measure how mechanophysical factors such as the extracellular matrix, tissue strength, and fluid flow are associated with human health and disease.
By studying and modeling multiscale mechanical behaviors, we look to reduce risk of bone fracture, improve clinical outcomes in cerebral aneurysm, and accelerate recovery from musculoskeletal injuries. Through advances in biomaterials, biomechanics, and mechanobiology, Weldon School researchers are developing the knowledge and clinical treatments that will change the way we understand and repair the body.
"Discovery results from a human being having an idea and a blind spot that prevents him/her from seeing failure."
Leslie Geddes, Showalter Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineer Emeritus,
2006 National Medal of Technology,
Founding Director of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University, est. 1974
The BBML is committed to improving our understanding of how the body works through innovative preclinical and clinical research. As our name implies, the lab focuses on bone mechanics (ability to effectively bear loads) and mechanobiology (how cells respond to mechanical stimuli to maintain and/or increase bone mass).
The mission of the Cardiovascular Flow Modeling Laboratory (CFM Lab) is to improve diagnostics and treatment of cardiovascular disease by conducting engineering analysis of blood flow dynamics.
Polymerizable collagen, engineered collagen polymeric materials, advanced collagen material and tissue fabrication technologies, tissue regeneration, therapeutic cell/drug delivery applications, mechanobiology, and computational modeling.
Park's research is focused on drug delivery systems and biomaterials—his recent research centers around developing long-acting injectable (LAI) formulations that can deliver drugs for months. In particular, he focuses on understanding the biodegradable polymer properties for developing LAI systems for delivery of opioid antagonists for 2-6 months to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders.
The Molecular, Cellular and Tissue (MCT) Biometrics Laboratory uses cutting-edge computational models to focus on diverse mechanical behaviors of biological matter between cytoskeletal and tissue length scales.
The Chan Musculoskeletal Research and Innovation (MRI) Lab believes that understanding the early response to injury is critical to diagnosis, assessment, and intervention in life-altering diseases, including post-traumatic osteoarthritis and traumatic brain injury.
The Mayo-Micro Materials Lab focuses on developing biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.
The Laboratory of Polymeric Biomaterials for Tissue Regeneration uses bio-orthogonal chemistry and biofabrication tools (photopolymerization, 3D bioprinting, electrospinning, etc.) to construct and assemble multifunctional polymeric biomaterials, including hydrogels, nanoparticles, and other polymeric scaffolds.
The mission of the Purdue University Cardiovascular Imaging Research Laboratory (CVIRL) is to advance imaging techniques to study disease progression and improve detection and treatment across a broad spectrum of medical conditions, ultimately enhancing the quality of human life.
