Bioengineering

Teaching and research related to Bioengineering

Bioengineering The application of engineering principles and techniques to address problems in biology and medicine has resulted in a number of important contributions to healthcare and scientific discovery.

Primary work in bioengineering at SEAS includes: understanding aspects of biological function at various levels (examples include biofluidics and cell mechanics); and tackling medical problems by developing instruments and devices that, for example, mimic biological organs (such as functional tissues) or assist in healthcare (such as drug-delivery devices).

"Some of the best things I’ve learned are the result of branching out from the mainstream ...

"I’ve learned to welcome surprises. They often provide insights that are beyond anything we could imagine."

- Joanna Aizenberg, Gordon McKay Professor of Materials Science and core faculty member of the Wyss Institute

Harvard's overall efforts in bioengineering span various departments, including:

Cross-campus science initiatives such as those in Neuroscience, Genomics, Harvard Medical School Quad as well as the teaching hospitals also play a critical role in supporting research.

One of the most exciting developments towards supporting such activity is the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering. The effort will function as the cornerstone of Harvard’s broader efforts in bioengineering.

Further, the bioengineering and life sciences research environment in the Cambridge-Boston area is one of the richest in the nation, with leading science and engineering institutions, world-renowned medical schools and hospitals, and a large concentration of biotechnology companies.