Clinical and Translational Bioengineering

The Benninger lab studies the endocrine pancreas (islets of Langerhans) to develop diagnostics and therapeutic interventions to effectively manage, cure and prevent diabetes. Towards this goal, the lab combines novel optical imaging and ultrasound imaging approaches to study the function of the islets of Langerhans over multiple levels of organization, and how function is disrupted in diabetes.

Our group develops selective (optogenetic) tools to interface with nerves with a focus on parasympathetic neuromodulation for PTSD.

Dr. Henry and his team conduct research focusing on how cancer-associated comorbidities (e.g., aging and obesity) impacts cancer progression and uses this information to develop novel bioengineered CAR T-cells for patients in these growing demographics.

Dr. Hunter's lab applies expertise in theoretical solid and fluid mechanics to improve the analysis and interpretation of medical images for better diagnosis and prognosis of pulmonary and cardiac diseases. They also perform research on biomedical applications of augmented reality and computer vision.

The Jacot Lab focuses on pediatric regenerative medicine, with core expertise in cardiac tissue, biomaterial interactions, and amniotic fluid and induced pluripotent human stem cells.

My lab develops novel cell and rodent models of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases and uses them to elucidate underlying disease mechanisms and to test new targeted therapeutics.

Dr. Igor Kogut's laboratory focuses on developing translational cell and gene therapy platforms, including iPSC-based and universal gene-correction approaches for RDEB in collaboration with Drs. Bilousova and Roop, alongside synthetic mRNA-driven cellular rejuvenation strategies, cancer-selective plasmid systems, and rejuvenation-enhanced CAR-T therapies.

We are focused on technology development for fundamental study and engineering of connective and cardiac tissues.

The Magin Lab engineers 3D models of lung tissue to help the world breathe easier. Specifically, we engineer cell culture platforms that mimic the dynamic and complex architecture, composition and mechanical properties of lung tissue to study lung disease and to screen potential therapeutic treatments.

My research focuses on novel approaches to emerging infectious diseases (EID) surveillance, including field-based molecular diagnostics, measuring the clinical and socioeconomic impact of EIDs in resource-limited populations, as well as the immunologic response, and assessing the benefit of community-based interventions such as vaccines.

I am an orthopedic spine surgeon so my research is clinical trials and device design/development.

Dr. Rozance is a Professor of Pediatrics and Neonatology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, a neonatologist clinician-scientist, and Scientific Director of the Perinatal Research Center whose research uses animal models to investigate fetal growth regulation, fetal endocrinology, pancreatic β-cell biology, and placental function.

The Shandas lab translates ideas into clinical use. With over 65 patents, >150 publications, 8 startup companies, over 70 graduate students mentored, and having founded the Biomedical Engineering Department, Dr. Shandas specializes in efficiently moving ideas from fantasy to reality. By incorporating concepts of creative play, lateral thinking, and business-oriented project development, the lab innovates new medical technologies, from devices to diagnostics, many of which are now being used clinically.

We elucidate the role and mechanism whereby mitochondrial signaling pathways contribute to gastrointestinal diseases, specifically inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), colitis-associated cancer, and colorectal tumorigenesis.

Our lab leverages systems immunology, quantitative imaging, longitudinal multivariate modeling, and machine learning to uncover mechanisms and predictors of infectious and inflammatory diseases.

The Weir Lab designs artificial hands for persons with upper-limb loss.