Using AI to Simulate the Body’s Fight Against Disease
A team of students in Duke’s Data+ Program is spending the summer building virtual models to find out how the human body fights diseases in John Hickey’s lab.
Signature Research Topics
Translating fundamental advances into new tools and techniques that save lives
For more than 50 years, Duke Biomedical Engineering has been at the forefront of innovation, building on pioneering advances in cardiac electrophysiology, biomaterials, and medical ultrasound—including the invention of real-time 3D ultrasonic scanning.
Today, our faculty lead cutting-edge research spanning biomaterials, bioelectric engineering, biomedical imaging and device development, computational and data-driven medicine, and cellular and molecular engineering.
The field of biomedical engineering is always evolving, but our mission remains steadfast. Our community is always working to improve human health through innovative research at the intersection of engineering and biomedical science. Duke BME’s skilled researchers are continually developing innovative technologies and therapies that support precision medicine, preventive care, and personalized health while addressing challenges such as chronic disease, aging, health inequities, and the responsible use of health data and technology.
Revolutionizing Clinical Impact
The department’s proximity to Duke University Medical Center has fostered a highly interdisciplinary approach. Duke BME engineers work closely with Duke’s biological scientists and physicians.
Our undergraduate and graduate students conduct research with the guidance of Duke BME faculty researchers—a community of innovators that includes many winners of prestigious scientific awards.
Major Research Programs
Bioelectric Engineering
Research spans the development of advanced cardiac muscle models and the creation of innovative tools and technologies to better understand, diagnose and treat neurological disorders
Biomaterials Science
Leveraging decades of expertise in biomaterials, researchers create innovative soft materials, nanomaterials, immune-active materials and engineered scaffolds for regenerative medicine applications
Biomedical Computation, Automation, & Data Science
By integrating computational modeling, simulation, high-performance computing and data analysis, researchers reveal the biological mechanisms that drive complex systems and inform new experimental approaches
Biomedical Imaging and Device Development
Our community advances the science of imaging through innovations in imaging physics, mathematical modeling, image acquisition and processing, hardware development and clinical translation
Biomolecular and Cellular Engineering
By combining molecular biology, genetic engineering, synthetic biology and computational modeling, researchers uncover fundamental cellular mechanisms and develop novel therapeutic strategies
Latest Research News
When Does a Fitness Tracker Become a Medical Device?
Duke researchers highlight the gaps in federal guidance governing validation of wearable devices
Lab-Grown Retinal Cells Show Promise for New Eye Therapies
Critical cells that line retinal blood vessels grown from stem cells restore retinal function in mouse models and form retinal tissue in a lab for future disease studies.