Within the next five years our department has the goal of being the best BME department in the nation in two research topics. (1) cellular imaging, particularly in vivo optical imaging, and (2) micro-and nano-biotechnology. The department expects to be among the top 10 BME departments in three other areas: (1) biomaterials and drug delivery, (2) molecular, cellular and tissue engineering and (3) soft tissue biomechanics. For the graduate field of BME, which is much larger than the department, we emphasize five general areas of BME research: Biomedical Imaging and Instruments; Biomedical Mechanics; Micro-and nano-biotechnology; Molecular, Cellular, and Tissue Engineering; and Biomaterials and Drug Delivery.
 | Biomaterials & Drug Delivery The design of a wide variety of drug-delivery systems, surgical implants, artificial organs, and wound-closure devices is critically dependent on biomaterials, and molecular therapeutics form the basis for the prevention and treatment of most human diseases. |
 | Biomedical Mechanics Engineering principles are combined with sophisticated instruments to understand the response of cells, tissues, and organs to mechanical stress and to address basic and clinical research questions associated with heart valves and musculoskeletal systems. |
 | Biomedical Imaging Our unique facilities and extensive collaborations among engineers, physical scientists, life scientists, and clinicians provide superb opportunities to create and improve sophisticated imaging techniques and instrumentation. |
 | Micro-and Nano-biotechnology Cornell pioneered the development of nanobiotechnology, offers superb facilities, and leads in the application of microfabrication and cell culture to medical problems. |
 | Molecular, Cellular and Tissue Engineering Tissue engineering holds great promise for replacing compromised or lost tissue and organ functions, and offers invaluable strategies to the recreation of tissues that may be used as model systems for basic research or drug testing. |
Cornell has a long history of contributions in the area of bioengineering, primarily by faculty and students, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in this field. Among them are Wilson Greatbatch, who was instrumental in the invention of the cardiac pacemaker; Robert Langer, an alumnus who won the Draper Prize from the National Academy of Engineering for his contributions to controlled drug delivery, biomaterials and tissue engineering; and David Lederman, whose company, Abiomed, engineered the first implantable total artificial heart.
What Cornell has lacked has been a focused research and curricula activity bridging biology, human medicine and engineering. The biomedical engineering program was established April 2002 to be that bridge. It has evolved to a separate department of Biomedical Engineering.
