Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering
Core Area A

This area integrates cell biology and biochemistry with mechanical engineering and materials science to understand the structure, function, and pathology of human tissues and their replacements. Applications range from the design of biologically compatible artificial joints to the development of long-lasting replacement materials for blood vessels, skin, articular cartilage, bone, or intervertebral disks. Investigation of tissue injury and remodeling mechanisms using engineering principles and methods (e.g. imaging) is part of this theme. Bioengineers with expertise in tissue biomechanics and remodeling will play a central role in the development of medical technologies to prevent disability and improve quality.

The long-term strategy of the department is to develop a research and educational program involving mechanical systems at all levels, from molecular to cellular to tissues, wherein mechanical and electrical engineering will be applied to understanding the coupling of cells to cells and cells to the tissue matrix. The goal is to produce bioengineers who will have substantial fundamental understanding of structure-function relationships and who can develop clinical applications and treatments related to pathologies of various human tissues and their replacement.

At present, the approach to such work at Berkeley and UCSF is multidisciplinary - students and faculty with expertise in either biology or engineering collaborate to address problems related to human tissues. Students take courses in either the life sciences or in engineering, but relatively few students combine both. The Department of Bioengineering is developing new courses that try to combine both the biological and engineering issues behind tissue engineering. Due to the informal and tenuous nature of these research collaborations, progress has not been as rapid as it could be. More importantly, innovation and synergy could be advanced considerably with the insight possible from a sustained, focused program in both biology and engineering as it pertains to human tissues. Areas of study to be developed include constitutive behavior, cell biomechanics, biomaterials, remodeling, and production technology.