Transcript Lead Institution: XX

Overview of Biotechnology
Research and Capabilities at
UIC

Biotechnology may be associated with images of gene
sequencing, drug development, and food modification
 Much more “biotechnology” research currently ongoing at UIC
 In addition to diverse research activities in the BioEngineering
Department, other COE departments and Colleges are now
involved in multiple projects
Biotechnology
at BioEngineering Department
Active biotechnology research are reflected by 3 focused concentration
areas and 3 additional areas
1) Bioinformatics (genomics and proteomics; existing collaboration with
ANL)
2) Cell and Tissue Engineering (stem cell-based tissue constructs)
3) Neural Engineering (implants to restore brain functions)
4) Bioimaging (MRI and optical imaging)
5) Biomechanics (macroscale and microscale mechanics)
6) Biomolecular Engineering (new addition to BioE; drug delivery and
nanoparticle design)
Biotechnology
at College of Engineering
In addition to BioEngineering Department, other COE
departments are also involved in biotechnology research.
1) Chemical Engineering (brain fluid transport)
2) Computer Science (bioinformatics)
3) Electrical and Computer Engineering (nanobiotech)
4) Mechanical Engineering (biomimetic fabrication)
Please see for more detailed description of biotechnology
research at UIC COE
(http://www.uic.edu/depts/enga/research/research.htm)
Biotechnology
at other UIC Colleges
Biotechnology research should include the UIC West Campus, which houses
Colleges of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, and others.
The close synergistic relationship between the medical community and
engineering is demonstrated by the fact that the BioE Department
appointed over 60 Adjunct faculty from the West Campus.
This is in tune with the NIH roadmap that strongly emphasizes the need and
value of translational research
The unique capabilities and features of the UIC medical community include
1) one of the largest magnets for MRI
2) Transplantation Center (e.g., pancreatic islet transplant)
3) cardiac imaging for heart diagnostic
4) neural implants for brain function (e.g., strokes)
5) retinal implants and ophthalmology treatment (e.g., glaucoma)
 One key feature of these biotechnology research projects at UIC West
Campus is that BioEngineering Department is involved in and perhaps
drives such research activities.
Summary
In view of the new initiatives by both the federal and some private funding
agencies, the collaborative efforts between UIC and ANL are timely and
would be mutually beneficial
The UIC COE and BioEngineering Department are currently engaged in
serious research efforts related to biotechnology
Research capabilities unique to UIC should be more clearly stated and
emphasized
No doubt that potential collaborative research projects will be forthcoming as
result of this UIC-ANL research retreat