Overview of Biotechnology Research and Capabilities at UIC

1
Overview of Biotechnology Research and
Capabilities at UIC

• Biotechnology may be associated with images of
  gene
• sequencing, drug development, and food
  modification
• Much more biotechnology research currently
  ongoing at UIC
• In addition to diverse research activities in
  the BioEngineering
• Department, other COE departments and Colleges
  are now
• involved in multiple projects

2
Biotechnology at BioEngineering Department

• Active biotechnology research are reflected by 3
  focused concentration areas and 3 additional
  areas
• 1) Bioinformatics (genomics and proteomics
  existing collaboration with ANL)
• 2) Cell and Tissue Engineering (stem cell-based
  tissue constructs)
• 3) Neural Engineering (implants to restore brain
  functions)
• 4) Bioimaging (MRI and optical imaging)
• 5) Biomechanics (macroscale and microscale
  mechanics)
• 6) Biomolecular Engineering (new addition to
  BioE drug delivery and nanoparticle design)

3
Biotechnologyat College of Engineering

• In addition to BioEngineering Department, other
  COE departments are also involved in
  biotechnology research.
• 1) Chemical Engineering (brain fluid transport)
• 2) Computer Science (bioinformatics)
• 3) Electrical and Computer Engineering
  (nanobiotech)
• 4) Mechanical Engineering (biomimetic
  fabrication)
• Please see for more detailed description of
  biotechnology research at UIC COE
  (http//www.uic.edu/depts/enga/research/research.h
  tm)

4
Biotechnologyat other UIC Colleges

• Biotechnology research should include the UIC
  West Campus, which houses Colleges of Medicine,
  Dentistry, Nursing, and others.
• The close synergistic relationship between the
  medical community and engineering is demonstrated
  by the fact that the BioE Department appointed
  over 60 Adjunct faculty from the West Campus.
• This is in tune with the NIH roadmap that
  strongly emphasizes the need and value of
  translational research
• The unique capabilities and features of the UIC
  medical community include
• 1) one of the largest magnets for MRI
• 2) Transplantation Center (e.g., pancreatic islet
  transplant)
• 3) cardiac imaging for heart diagnostic
• 4) neural implants for brain function (e.g.,
  strokes)
• 5) retinal implants and ophthalmology treatment
  (e.g., glaucoma)
• ? One key feature of these biotechnology research
  projects at UIC West Campus is that
  BioEngineering Department is involved in and
  perhaps drives such research activities.

5
Summary

• In view of the new initiatives by both the
  federal and some private funding agencies, the
  collaborative efforts between UIC and ANL are
  timely and
• would be mutually beneficial
• The UIC COE and BioEngineering Department are
  currently engaged in
• serious research efforts related to
  biotechnology
• Research capabilities unique to UIC should be
  more clearly stated and
• emphasized
• No doubt that potential collaborative research
  projects will be forthcoming as
• result of this UIC-ANL research retreat