The Role of the Engineer in Healthcare

The 21st century has been billed by some as the biological century. In the past 20 years we have seen rapid advancements in the fields of biology and biochemistry including the mapping of the human genome, the cloning of a sheep, and the discovery of stem cells that are able to, in theory, become any cell in the body. As our understanding of biology increases, there is a growing need for engineers who are able to translate these findings into treatments or cures for diseases.

Biomaterials engineering and tissue engineering are new and exciting fields that combine biology, biochemistry, chemistry, immunology with an understanding of the materials into the development of replacement organs and tissues – off the shelf hearts, livers, blood vessels to name a few.

The potential impact of tissue engineering is enormous. It has been estimated that over one half trillion dollars are spent on an annual basis in the United States alone caring for patients suffering from end stage organ or tissue failure. The numbers of patients afflicted with various diseases are staggering. The presentation will focus on engineering of two very different tissues – blood vessels and corneas – including background into the rationale and need for these tissues, and some recent developments from our laboratory at McMaster.

Read The Hamilton Spectator article by Steve Buist