Functional Materials for Life

porous bioceramics sample
Biomaterials

Research Focus  |  Biomaterials

We work at the interface of materials chemistry and biomedical engineering. The synergy between these areas is remarkable and allows us to identify what is missing from a bioengineer’s toolbox and dive into fundamental materials design to create the tools necessary to meet societal needs. Polymer scientists create and provide access to novel functional materials and 3-D structures, while engineers translate these materials into therapies and devices that address key challenges in the clinic. Few campuses in the world encompass the broad range of fundamental discovery in chemistry to clinical application of materials to improve human health.

Major problems we are trying to solve:

  • Regeneration of injured and diseased tissues: by designing injectable protein and cell delivery vehicles that respond to the body’s natural healing response.
  • Minimally invasive drug delivery and recording: by 3-D printing implants with complex, micron-scale features that influence how implanted materials interact with the body.
  • Wearable materials for health monitoring and diagnostics: with shape-memory polymers and flexible electronics that can measure a variety of health metrics.
  • Implantable microsystems for human augmentation and cognitive enhancement: by engineering novel electrode materials that enable seamless integration of microelectronics and the nervous system.
  • Sensing and manipulation of biomolecules and biomechanics: by designing small molecules that detect and release biomolecules and wireless sensors that provide real-time force monitoring.

Participating Research Groups

 

Bioengineering Program Faculty — Biomaterials

 

EXPLORE OUR BIOENGINEERING RESEARCH GROUPS

 


UO Collaborators

Benjamín Alemán
Department of Physics
Visit the Alemán Lab

Shannon Boettcher
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Visit the Boettcher Lab

Carl Brozek
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Visit the Brozek Lab

Eric Corwin
Department of Physics
Visit the Corwin Lab

Brian Dalton
Department of Physiology
Visit the Dalton Lab

Vickie DeRose
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Visit the DeRose Lab

Michael Haley
Department of Physiology
Visit the Haley Lab

Ramesh Jasti
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Visit the Jasti Lab

Darren Johnson
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Visit the Johnson Lab

Ben McMorran
Department of Physics
Visit the McMorran Lab

Raghuveer Parthasarathy
Department of Physics
Visit the Parthasarathy Lab

Mike Pluth
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Visit the Pluth Lab

Richard Taylor
Department of Physics
Visit the Taylor Lab