Sept. 12 Symposium to highlight advances in biomedical engineering

ANN ARBOR—Artificial joints to relieve the pain and stiffness of arthritis, bioengineered organs to replace diseased ones, and medical diagnostic sensors tiny enough to fit on the head of a pin—these are among the successes of the University of Michigan’s Biomedical Engineering Program.

Long recognized as a leader in the field, the program is taking a major step forward. With a grant from the Whitaker Foundation, as well as university funding, a new Department of Biomedical Engineering has been established. A Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, which will serve the entire University, also has been instituted.

A Sept. 12 symposium featuring some of the “fathers of biomedical engineering” will celebrate the new department and center. Scheduled speakers include Eugene Bell, a pioneer in tissue engineering who is president and CEO of a company specializing in that area; Y.C. Fung of the University of California, San Diego, known for groundbreaking work in biomechanics; Douglas Lauffenburger of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who specializes in molecular engineering; Paul Lauterbur of the University of Illinois, a leading researcher in medical imaging; and Buddy Ratner of the University of Washington, an authority on biomaterials. Matthew O’Donnell and Don Chaffin of the U-M Biomedical Engineering Department also will speak.

“The discipline of biomedical engineering will significantly improve health care, advance medical technology, and fuel economic development in medically-related industries,” said Steven Goldstein, director of the Center for Biomedical Engineering Research. “For 30 years, the U-M has been a leading institution in biomedical engineering research and education. While we’re proud of our accomplishments, we believe that our new emphasis on biomedical engineering will produce developments and discoveries outpacing anything we have accomplished to date. In this initiative, we see opportunities for new therapeutics, innovative diagnostic techniques, cost-effective models of health care delivery, and a new generation of leaders in biomedical research.”

The day-long symposium at Power Center begins at 9 a.m. The public is welcome, but reservations are recommended. For reservations, call (313) 764-9588, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.

U-M News and Information Services University of Michigan

Whitaker FoundationY.C. FungSteven GoldsteinU-M News and Information ServicesUniversity of Michigan