News & Stories
Explore the latest news, stories, and groundbreaking research happening at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering. Stay updated on innovative projects, impactful discoveries, and the achievements of our talented students, faculty, and alumni shaping the future of biomedical science and engineering.
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What Sits at the Centre of Wound Healing?
The science of rapid wound healing has new insights due to discoveries in fruit flies from the Fernandez-Gonzalez lab at University of Toronto. Collaboration, community and perseverance has resulted in an article published in the journal Cell Reports as “p38-mediated cell growth and survival drive rapid embryonic wound repair”.
Medicine by Design and partners invite trainees to explore entrepreneurship through enhanced Building a Biotech Venture program
Building a Biotech Venture, a trainee entrepreneurship program, is going into its second year with expanded education and support for trainees who are thinking about taking their first steps toward building their research into a product or venture.
New Medicine by Design-funded method for testing muscle repair in a dish to impact development of stem cell-based therapies
Scientists out of two labs at the University of Toronto have discovered a novel way to test self-repair of skeletal muscle, and this method has the potential to rapidly advance the development of treatments for diseases like muscular dystrophy (MD) and other degenerative muscle conditions.
UHN’s Ajmera Transplant Centre collaborating with U of T’s Medicine by Design
UHN thoracic surgeon Dr. Tom Waddell led the first session of “Regen Med in the Clinic” with University of Toronto researcher Alison McGuigan, talking to fellows about a respiratory condition from surgical and engineering perspectives.
Meet the incoming class of 2021
In September, BME welcomed 100+ students into our graduate programs. We asked some of these students why they chose our programs, and what they are looking forward to in this unusual year. Here’s what they have to say.
Five startups to watch from U of T Engineering’s virtual Hatchery Demo Day 2021
From crowdsourcing new treatments for rare diseases to catalyzing the work of urban planners, five worthy ideas are one step closer to commercial viability after Hatchery Demo Day 2021, held virtually throughout the week of September 13 – 17, 2021. A total of 17 teams competed in the Hatchery NEST process, an experiential learning opportunity that instills and nurtures an entrepreneurial mindset in participating U of T students and faculty.
Dr. Craig Simmons named BMES Fellow of 2021
Professor Craig Simmons was inducted as a Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) fellow among 19 other internationally recognized scientists and engineers. As a BMES fellow, Dr. Simmons was recognized internationally for his innovative and wide-ranging contributions to both fundamental science and practical applications in the field of mechanobiology.
Daniel Franklin assumes key role as Ted Rogers Chair in Cardiovascular Engineering
Daniel Franklin, a rising star in the field of wearable sensors and implantable medical devices, has been appointed the first-ever Ted Rogers Chair in Cardiovascular Engineering.
Dr. Alex Mihalidis named Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences
Dr. Alex Mihailidis was one of fifteen University of Toronto researchers to be named Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in recognition of their “dedication and excellence.”
A day in the life of a graduate student – Johnny Zhang
Throughout the pandemic, our students are working hard to advance scientific knowledge. Check out our new video: “Day in the life of a graduate student”, featuring BME/Chemistry PhD student Johnny Zhang.
Wheeler Group introduces light-driven micromachines powered by optoelectronic tweezers
In a study published this week in Nature Communications, research from Professor Aaron Wheeler has introduced reconfigurable multi-component micromachines driven by optoelectronic tweezers.
How to write a successful PGS-D or CGS-D application
The CGS-D and PGS-D application deadline is rapidly approaching. Check out some extensive best practices and mistakes to avoid offered by Joseph Sebastian, a previous award winner.
Putting Down Roots
Drs. Cristina Nostro and Sara Nunes Vasconcelos, with their postdoctoral fellow Dr. Yasaman Aghazadeh, have engineered a new method to improve the survival and potency of such cell transplants.
CRAFT Project Award Aims to Build New Technologies and Partnerships
Drs. Milica Radisic, Aaron Wheeler, and Sowmya Viswanathan are three BME PIs who received CRAFT research funding.
Optimizing patient prioritization for admission to rehab among four projects powered by Connaught New Researcher awards
Leo Chou is one of the FASE faculty members who received Connaught New Researcher Awards this year.
With a focus on skin cells, U of T’s Michael Sefton seeks ‘huge step forward’ in diabetes treatment
Michael Sefton, a U of T tissue engineer and executive director of Medicine by Design, is investigating whether dendritic skin cells can aid in the successful transplantation of insulin-producing islet cells in diabetes patients.
Faces of BME – Doris Adao
Originally from the Philippines, Doris Adao strives to help others through outreach and mentorship opportunities. By day she finds cures to cardiovascular diseases, by night she finds creativity in cooking.
2021 Yip Awards Recognize Early Graduate Research in Biology and Disease
Heta Lad and Carolina Chavez Madero are two BME students who won this year’s Cecil Yip Doctoral Research Award.
How to write a successful Vanier CGS application
The Vanier application deadline is rapidly approaching. Check out some extensive best practices and mistakes to avoid offered by Joseph Sebastian, a 2020 Vanier-CGS winner, on writing an ‘award-winning’ Vanier CGS application.
Medicine by Design’s Pivotal Experiment Fund invests $1 million in four research teams to bridge the “valley of death” funding gap
Four researchers leading teams that are sharing $1 million in funding through the Pivotal Experiment Fund.
Dr. Omar Khan discuses Delta variant concerns being raised as Canada with Sonia Deol on Global News
Dr. Omar Khan discuses Delta variant concerns being raised as Canada with Sonia Deol on Global News.
Saving lives – one breath at a time
Derek Watt completed his Master of Applied Science (MASc) degree in Biomedical Engineering in 2007. Now working as the Director of Commercial Products at Thornhill Medical, Derek is part of a team that designs, builds, and supplies a robust line of field-ready respiratory devices. Thornhill Medical’s products are specifically designed for military, field hospital, transport medical and first responder teams.
Medicine by Design’s executive director launches new chapter in diabetes research with JDRF grant
Dr. Michael Sefton had received ~ $430,000 JDRF grant to continue to study if cells found in the skin can play a key role in enabling stem cell transplants for diabetes.