Biomedical Engineering (BME) has emerged as one of the most exciting interdisciplinary research fields in modern science. Biomedical engineers apply modern approaches from the experimental life sciences in conjunction with theoretical and computational methods from the disciplines of engineering, mathematics and computer science to the solution of biomedical problems of fundamental importance. The Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program of the Johns Hopkins University is designed to train engineers to work at the cutting edge of this exciting discipline.

The cornerstone of the Program is our belief in the importance of in-depth training of students in both life sciences and modern engineering, mathematics and computer science and in the conduct of original research leading to the doctoral dissertation. In-depth training in life sciences is achieved in one of two ways. First, incoming PhD students may enroll in the first year basic sciences curriculum of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. This is a unique and intensive curriculum covering a broad range of topics including molecules and cells, human anatomy, immunology, physiology and neuroscience. Students choosing this option typically devote their entire first academic year to these courses. This curriculum is an excellent way to build a broad and solid foundation in the life sciences. Second, students may elect alternative life sciences curricula. These curricula have been carefully designed to provide training in areas of the life sciences that are appropriate to each of the program’s research areas. This option is of particular value to students who enter the program having a strong background in the life sciences. In-depth training in engineering, mathematics and computer science is achieved through elective courses, with choice of electives reflecting the research interests of each student. Detailed curricula have been developed in each of the program’s research areas to assist students in making these choices.

The following sections describe program administration, research areas, general requirements and specific research and training curricula.

Reza Shadmehr, Ph.D. - Ph.D. Program Co-Director
shadmehr@jhu.edu
Office Phone: (410) 614-2458, FAX: (410) 502-2826
720 Rutland Ave., 410 Traylor Building
Baltimore MD 21205

David T. Yue, M.D., Ph.D. - Ph.D. Program Co-Director
dyue@jhmi.edu
Office Phone: (410) 955-0078, FAX: (410) 614-8269
720 Rutland Ave., 713 Ross Building
Baltimore MD 21205

Hong Lan - PhD Program Coordinator
hlan1@jhmi.edu
Office Phone: (410) 516-5282
3400 N. Charles St., Rm. 318 Clark Hall
Baltimore MD 21218

1. Biomedical Imaging Sciences. Director - Michael Miller

The rapid development of imaging sensor technologies now enables investigators in the physical and biomedical sciences to observe living systems and measure their structure and functional behaviors non-invasively over a wide range of spatio-temporal scales. The diversity, complexity and size of the resulting imaging datasets poses significant challenges that must be overcome if they are to be used for the discovery of new biological knowledge and/or disease diagnosis. The goal of the Biomedical Imaging Sciences research and training group is to develop new mathematical and computational approaches for understanding biomedical imaging data. Three major research themes have been identified. These themes are: a) representation and synthesis of complex shapes and scenes; b) computationally efficient shape detection and recognition; and c) image formation and sensor modeling. The Biomedical Imaging Sciences graduate curriculum described below is designed to provide students with a firm educational foundation in the life sciences as well as the theoretical and computational approaches required to conduct innovative research in these challenging areas.

Faculty

a. Patrick Barta, patr@jhmi.edu
b. Don Geman, geman@jhu.edu
c. Elliot McVeigh, emcveigh@bme.jhu.edu
d. Michael Miller, mim@cis.jhu.edu
e. Tilak Ratnanather, tilak@cis.jhu.edu
f. Rene Vidal, rvidal@cis.jhu.edu
g. Laurent Younes, younes@cis.jhu.edu

2. Biomedical Micro-/Nano-Technologies and Instrumentation. Director - Nitish Thakor

The aim of the Biomedical Micro-/Nano-Technologies and Instrumentation research and training group is to develop new approaches to sensing, instrumentation and measurement in biological and medical systems. Research areas include: a) application of micro-/nano-fabrication technologies to the design of new biomedical sensors; b) use of micro-/nano-scale fluidics and force fields for molecular manipulation and detection; and c) methods for engineering surfaces and devices for growing and sensing properties of cells and cell assemblies. The Biomedical Micro-/Nano-Technologies and Instrumentation graduate curriculum described below includes engineering coursework emphasizing biomedical instrumentation, microfabrication and micro-/nano-technologies and has a strong emphasis on the laboratory component. The biology curriculum emphasizes learning at various scales ranging from molecular and cellular systems to systems physiology.

Faculty

a. Andreas Andreou, agagroup@olympus.ece.jhu.edu
b. Nitish Thakor, nthakor@bme.jhu.edu
c. Jeff Wang, thwang@jhu.edu
d. Scot Kuo, skuo@bme.jhu.edu
e. Les Tung, ltung@bme.jhu.edu

3.. Cardiovascular Systems, Director - Artin Shoukas

As the country's number one killer, cardiovascular disease poses a major health problem for thousands of individuals. In response to this national concern, the Cardiovascular Systems research and training group brings together scientist-engineers from across the disciplines of physiology, biophysics, biomechanics, mathematics, systems identification and computer modeling to work collaboratively on a number of cardiovascular research projects. Research areas include understanding of the dynamics of ions, molecules and macro-molecules in the regulation and control of cardiovascular function. The Cardiovascular Systems graduate curriculum described below is designed to prepare students to utilize modern tools in both theory and experiment. The program includes courses in molecular, cellular, and cardiovascular systems biology as well as advanced courses in mathematics and engineering. Emphasis is placed on combined approaches of experimental work and multi-scale modeling of the cardiovascular system.

Faculty

a. Elliot McVeigh, emcveigh@bme.jhu.edu
b. Aleksander Popel, apopel@bme.jhu.edu
c. Lawrence Schramm, lschramm@bme.jhu.edu
d. Artin Shoukas, ashoukas@bme.jhu.edu
e. Les Tung, ltung@bme.jhu.edu
f. David Yue, dyue@bme.jhu.edu


4. Cell and Tissue Engineering/Biomaterials, Director - Jennifer Elisseeff

Cell and tissue engineering is a dynamic and evolving field that spans fundamental science to clinical application. Active research areas represented within the Cell and Tissue Engineering/Biomaterials research and training group include microscale cell and tissue engineering, biochip microfabrication, extracellular matrix regulation of cell and tissue growth, biomaterials development, hydrogel synthesis, cartilage regeneration, drug and gene delivery, fibrous scaffold design, physiological mechanics and molecular transport, cell mechanics, electrophysiology of single heart cells and cardiac cell networks, biotechnology and clinical aspects of carbohydrate engineering, bioMEMS, microfluidics, and single molecule manipulation and detection. The goal of the Cell and Tissue Engineering/Biomaterials graduate curriculum described below is to provide training for students with diverse backgrounds so that they may pursue their research interests in cell engineering and regenerative medicine. In addition to general life sciences courses, the curriculum consists of a set of core courses in biomaterials and cell and tissue engineering. Students broaden their training by taking elective courses in advanced engineering such as micro/nanofabrication or advanced biological courses such as developmental biology and immunology.

Faculty

a. Jennifer Elisseeff, jhe@bme.jhu.edu
b. Hai-Quan Mao, hmao@jhu.edu
c. Aleksander Popel, apopel@bme.jhu.edu
d. Les Tung, ltung@bme.jhu.edu
e. Jeff Wang, thwang@jhu.edu
e. Kevin Yarema, kjyarema@bme.jhu.edu


5. Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Director – Raimond L. Winslow

The goal of the Computational Biology and Bioinformatics research and training group is to develop and apply quantitative methods of mathematics, computer science and engineering to enhance our understanding of the structure, dynamic behavior and function of biological systems. Specific research areas include modeling of the dynamics of molecules and macro-molecular assemblies, mapping and analysis of gene and protein networks, theoretical and computational analysis of the dynamics of and information flow in cellular signal transduction networks, and integrative, multi-scale modeling of cell and tissue function. The Computational Biology and Bioinformatics graduate curriculum described below is designed to provide students a solid foundation in life sciences, to build a foundation in mathematical and computational theory, and through elective courses, provide in-depth training in specific areas of computational biology and bioinformatics.

Faculty

a. Joel Bader, joel.bader@jhu.edu
b. Michael Beer, mbeer@princeton.edu
c. Andre Levchenko, alev@bme.jhu.edu
d. Aleksander Popel, apopel@jhu.edu
e. Sean Sun, ssun@jhu.edu
f. Raimond L. Winslow, rwinslow@bme.jhu.edu
g. Rachel Karchin, rkarchi1@jhu.edu
h. Natalia Trayanova, ntrayanova@jhu.edu


6. Molecular and Cellular Engineering Physiology, Director – David Yue

The goal of the Molecular and Cellular Engineering Physiology research and training group is to combine engineering methods with molecular/cellular biology, thus enabling a unique way of seeing and manipulating the human biological landscape. Such a marriage currently represents one of the most promising approaches for discovering the deep mysteries of biological mechanisms, and for developing novel therapies targeting human diseases. Research thrusts include three areas. First, the design and implementation of biosensors, including inorganic and genetically encoded biosensors, that provide a readout of the lingua francas of life at the molecular/cellular level (micro-mechanical environment, voltage, calcium, and gene expression). Optical and electrical technologies such as laser manipulation and sensing of molecules, FRET, multidimensional real-time spatial scanning, and multi-photon imaging are emphasized. Second, biological discovery based on a dialog among mathematical modeling, novel sensing technologies, and molecular/cellular experiments. Topics of inquiry include the quantitative understanding of hearing, the mechanisms of force generation and movement in cells, and the shaping and decoding of electrical and calcium signals. Experimental techniques include confocal and two-photon microscopy, laser-based tweezers and rheometry, patch-clamp electrophysiology, 2-3D imaging of optical sensors, molecular biology, and biochemistry. Third, the development of therapeutic approaches to cardiac and neurological diseases. Examples encompass targeted gene delivery of therapeutic bio-molecules, using viral-based gene delivery to fine tune cardiac excitability. The Molecular and Cellular Engineering Physiology graduate curriculum described below encourages students to develop expertise both in the quantitative/mathematical understanding of biomolecules, and in the experimental manipulation of molecules, cells, and tissues. Students taking this curriculum will fill an enormous and growing demand for those truly expert in the languages of both the engineer and molecular/cellular biologist—these individuals will be an important vanguard of medical discoveries and therapies of the future.

Faculty

a. Paul Fuchs, pfuchs@bme.jhu.edu
b. Scot Kuo, skuo@bme.jhu.edu
c. Aleksander Popel, apopel@jhu.edu
d. Les Tung, ltung@bme.jhu.edu
e. David Yue, dyue@bme.jhu.edu


7. Neuroscience and Neuroengineering, Director (Neuroscience) – Eric Young. Director (Neuroengineering) – Nitish Thakor

Understanding the brain is one of the grand challenges for research in the next century. The challenge extends from fundamental research on computation in the brain to exciting new frontiers in neural prosthesis. Biomedical Engineers are uniquely positioned to use both experimental and theoretical tools in pursuing neuroscience research. Given the complexity of the problems offered by the brain, an understanding of both areas is essential. Active neuroscience and neuroengineering research includes studies of neural computation and circuits, motor memory, sensory encoding, brain injury and repair, diagnostic and monitoring technology, neural prosthesis, and theoretical neuroscience. The Neuroscience and Neuroengineering graduate curriculum described below is designed to prepare students to utilize modern tools in both theory and experiment. The curriculum includes courses in molecular, cellular, and systems biology as well as advanced mathematics and engineering.

Faculty

a. Paul Fuchs, pfuchs@bme.jhu.edu
b. Murray Sachs, msachs@bme.jhu.edu
c. Larry Schramm, lschramm@bme.jhu.edu
d. Reza Shadmehr, reza@bme.jhu.edu
e. Nitish Thakor, nthakor@bme.jhu.edu
f. Xiaoqin Wang, xwang@bme.jhu.edu
g. Eric Young, eyoung@bme.jhu.edu
h. Kechen Zhang, kechen@bme.jhu.edu