Education

BME 302: Biomaterials and Biomechanics

This course will cover principles of physiology, materials science and mechanics with particular attention to topics most relevant to biomedical engineering. Areas of focus include the structure-functional relationships of biocomposites including biological tissues and biopolymers, extensive treatment of the properties unique to biomaterials surfaces, behavior of materials in the physiological environment, and biomechanical failure criterion. The course includes selected experimental measurements in biomechanical and biomaterial systems

BME 527: Cell Mechanics and Mechanotransduction

This course will examine the mechanical properties of cells, the stresses exerted by cells in a number of biological processes of clinical and technological importance (adhesion, cell migration, three-dimensional tissues or tissue engineered constructs) and the processes by which mechanical forces are converted into biochemical signals and activate gene expression. Topics covered include methods to measure mechanical properties of cells, mechanics of the cytoskeleton, models of cell mechanical properties, cell adhesion, effects of physical forces on cell function, and mechanotransduction. Students will be required to critically evaluate current literature and analyze models of cell mechanics and mechanotransduction.