Research

Assistive and Inclusive Technology is the use of engineering principles to develop technological solutions and devices to assist individuals with disabilities and those aging into disability. These technologies support physical, sensory and cognitive functions for children and adults living with impairments.  Technologies range from low-tech to very high-tech and can include robotics, sensors, artificial intelligence, machine learning, accessible medical technologies, powered mobility, augmentative/alternative communication devices and much more.  The Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering’s research infrastructure supports innovations in healthy living through technology, inclusive environments, independence, empowerment and community participation. 

Biomaterials are substances engineered to interact with biological systems for a medical purpose. Biomaterials research focuses on engineering novel materials for use in medical devices, drug delivery, and therapeutics, as well as building platforms with precise control of the biochemical and biophysical cues to study how cells and tissues respond to changes in their environments or grow new tissues from stem cells. Here at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, we use these technologies a variety of applications, including understanding the development of heart structure, modeling lung disease and regeneration, making regenerative cardiac therapies, creating therapeutics for the eye, and repairing defects in bones and muscles.

The University of Colorado Anschutz has long been internationally recognized as being at the forefront of cardiovascular and pulmonary research and the department of Bioengineering continues that proud tradition. Cardiovascular and Pulmonary bioengineering is a synergy between engineering, computer science, and biological sciences to improve the function of diseased or injured tissue. Our department takes a diverse approach to improving the lung and cardiovascular health including regeneration at the cellular scale with novel tissue engineering approaches, studies of morphology and biology, using predictive computer simulations or biomechanical models to understand the dynamics of injury and disease. The overall goal is to use engineering to improve health outcomes for patients.

Clinical and translational bioengineering is a field that involves translating biomedical discoveries into clinical use as new treatments and cures. This is a multidisciplinary field that bridges the gap between basic science and patient care.  The Bioengineering Department is ideally located on the Anschutz Medical Campus.  The campus includes the University of Colorado health professional schools, multiple centers and institutes and two nationally ranked hospitals, UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and Children's Hospital Colorado, with nearly 2.1 million patient visits each year.  Students in our department have opportunities to work directly with medical doctors on translational device development.

Computational and systems biology integrates mathematical analysis, technology, and fundamental science to understand large biological networks. These networks can be embedded in a single cell, an organ, an organism, or a social setting like an intensive care unit. Often these models try to connect one or more of these levels together in a network of networks. This approach often informed by large data sets generated using various –omics and imaging technologies. The overall goal is to build models that can make useful predictions, undercover new mechanisms, and guide decision making in the clinical setting.

Medical imaging offers us a window into biological tissues and the body with minimal disruptions to the system.  Over the last five decades, medical image acquisition systems have evolved to the point where 4-dimensional data sets are routinely acquired.  Our ability to perform non-invasive assays is expanding our understanding of biochemical processes, enhancing our diagnostic capabilities, and providing new methods to better understand relationships between biological structure and function.  Our department is integrated into a world-class medical imaging research community with techniques ranging from PET, MRI, ultrasound and optical imaging/microscopy. Imaging research includes fundamental advances in imaging technology and contrast agents, applications in biomedical research, pre-clinical developments, and clinical studies.

As imaging techniques improve, the data associated with them increases exponentially, creating endless opportunities for discovery.  There is a thriving medical imaging analysis community at the Anschutz medical campus, combining clinicians, biomedical researchers, statisticians, and engineers.  We are on the forefront in the applications of advanced statistical techniques, machine learning and artificial intelligence to clinical datasets.  Additionally, we engage with clinical teams to derive surgical planning models, tools, and training systems directly from medical imaging data. 

Students looking to understand how ideas become successful medical products or with dreams of starting their own medical device company can gain the valuable perspective of how the business of medical devices works.  Students work closely with bioengineering and clinical and industry experts to develop ideas that can become a viable medical product or business opportunity.  By studying at CU’s Anschutz Medical Campus, the largest medical academic campus between Chicago and the West Coast, you will be able to explore entrepreneurial opportunities in numerous clinical disciplines, observe clinical practices, develop focused clinical needs statements, work with regulatory and business experts to refine your business plan and submit a patent, and even startup your own company in the Fitzsimmons Innovation Community, located right next to our Bioengineering Program on the Anschutz Medical  Campus.  This track features mentors and projects from startups and large companies. 

Neural Engineering encompasses the use of engineering techniques to understand, repair, replace, interface, or enhance neural systems.  This interdisciplinary field combines cellular- and systems-level neuroscience with the engineering fields of imaging, computation, and neural interfaces. Neural engineering research conducted at CU Anschutz involves both basic and clinical projects including development of optical and electrical technologies to interface with the brain or peripheral nerves for opto-/electro-ceutical applications and prosthesis control, computational methods to model brain function, and development and optimization of deep brain stimulation technologies for treatment of neurological disorders.  The Bioengineering department is the ideal place for students to conduct state-of-the-art neural engineering research with the goal to improve patient treatment and outcomes. 

This area of research includes understanding musculoskeletal biomechanics to assist with development of improved prosthetics.  Faculty employ clinical studies in the field for prosthetic devices and employ biomechanics in modeling movement, muscle, and joint mechanics in populations with lower and upper extremity movement pathology.  Faculty work on design and creation of improved prosthetic devices using state-of-the-art 3D metal printing.  Our goal is to practically apply our knowledge to give back independence and confidence to people who use prosthetic limbs.