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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Faces of BME – Isdora Msigwa
Meet Isdora Msigwa, a Mastercard Foundation scholar hailing from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, currently pursuing her MEng degree at the University of Toronto. Upon completing her studies, Isdora envisions herself thriving in the dynamic field of healthcare consulting, leveraging her expertise as both an R&D engineer and a Business Development Specialist within pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
Faces of BME – Jemila Abdulai
Meet Jemila Abdulai, a vibrant member of the biomedical engineering community at the University of Toronto. Her aspirations upon graduating from the MEng program include venturing into the medical device industry, where she aims to apply her skills and knowledge for meaningful contributions.
Faces of BME – Cecil Chikezie
Meet Cecil Chikezie, a dedicated PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto, driven by a passion for improving healthcare outcomes globally.
UHN and UofT Collaborate to Fast-track Tech Research into Applications
Groundbreaking collaboration between UHN and UofT aims to accelerate the transition of cutting-edge technology research into practical applications.
‘Images every second’: Researchers develop rapid MRI technique for better cancer detection and therapy
Professor Hai-Ling Cheng and her team have developed a rapid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique to help doctors better detect and diagnose tumours. The 3D images generated from this new approach could provide physicians with guidance during surgery and other therapeutic interventions.
CRAFT 2.0: Academic hospital network joins centre for research on microfluidic devices for human health
The Centre for Research and Applications in Fluidic Technologies (CRAFT) has been extended to 2028 and has expanded to formally include Unity Health Toronto, an academic hospital network and leading Canadian health research institute.
BME student awarded the University of Toronto Student Leadership Award
Joseph Sebastian, a BME PhD student at Professor Craig Simmons’ lab, has recently been awarded the University of Toronto Student Leadership Award (UTSLA). Recipients of the UTSLA join the esteemed community of past Cressy Award recipients in being recognized for their impactful leadership and volunteerism at the University of Toronto.
Four Biomedical Engineering Faculty Members Secure CIHR Funding for Research Projects
Four esteemed faculty members from the Institute Biomedical Engineering (BME) at the University of Toronto have successfully secured funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) through the Project Grant Program’s fall 2023 funding cycle. The CIHR funding will support their cutting-edge research projects aimed at advancing health-related knowledge and outcomes.
Faces of BME – Danielle Serra & Janice Pang
Meet Danielle Serra and Janice Pang, two exceptional individuals seamlessly balancing the demands of academia and their passion for curling. In this profile Q&A, the duo shares their unique journeys into the world of curling, from a chance encounter at a university event to becoming members of the University Varsity Curling team.
Revolutionizing Microbial Single-Cell Sequencing: DoTA-seq Unveils a Simple Yet Powerful Method
In a recent study, a research team led by Dr. Freeman Lan has developed a method for single-cell genetic profiling of microbes. The findings, published in Nature Methods, introduce a robust and easily adaptable droplet microfluidics workflow named DoTA-seq (Droplet Microfluidics for Targeted Amplification Sequencing), providing a scalable solution for studying single-cell heterogeneity in microbial populations.
Dr. Aaron Wheeler receives Ricardo Aroca Award for contributions in Analytical Chemistry
Dr. Aaron Wheeler has recently been honoured with the Ricardo Aroca Award. This esteemed award is bestowed upon a scientist residing in Canada who has made outstanding contributions to the realm of analytical chemistry while actively engaged in research within the country.
Researchers use generative AI to design new viral vector subspecies for gene therapy delivery
Researchers at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering have successfully utilized an artificial intelligence (AI) framework to redesign a crucial protein involved in the delivery of gene therapy.
Dr. Milica Radisic inducted as U.S. National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Fellow
Dr. Milica Radisic has been elected as a 2023 Fellow of US National Academy of Inventors (NAI), this achievement underscores her exceptional contributions to advancing research and positively impacting real-world applications.
With heart-on-a-chip, researchers study genetic mutation underlying cardiac muscle disease
Researchers at the University of Toronto and its partner hospitals have led the development of a heart-on-a-chip device to study the effects of a genetic mutation that causes dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease that impairs blood flow throughout the body.
Dr. Milica Radisic Elected as Fellow of Biomaterials Science and Engineering (FBSE)
Dr. Milica Radisic has been elected as a Fellow of Biomaterials Science and Engineering (FBSE), the highest honor bestowed by the global biomaterials community on exceptional scientists.
Faces of BME – Ana-Maria Oproescu
Meet Ana-Maria, a PhD student in Dr. Omar Khan’s lab. Ana-Maria’s journey seamlessly weaves together her love for art, her dedication to advancing scientific frontiers, and her commitment to breaking barriers in the medical field.
BME welcomes new faculty member Professor Freeman Lan
Dr. Freeman Lan has recently joined the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto as an Assistant Professor.
‘DNA origami’ may bring researchers one step closer to a cancer vaccine
BME professor Leo Chou creates DNA nanostructures that can serve as a platform to deliver instructions to a body’s immune cells in a way that would elicit an effective response towards a disease. His team has developed a new way to visualize 3D nanostructures made of human DNA.
Engineering soft connective tissues with biomimetic mechanical properties
A team of researchers at the University of Toronto, led by Professor Craig Simmons, has introduced a novel method to engineer soft connective tissues with prescribed mechanical properties similar to those of native tissues. This finding, published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials, can propel the generation of more realistic tissues and organs for regenerative medicine in the future.
Donnelly Centre to House New Self-Driving Lab to Innovate Next-Generation Human Tissue Models
The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research is home to a new self-driving lab (SDL), borne out of a $200 million grant from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund to the Acceleration Consortium.
Wearable medical device redefines cardiovascular monitoring
A team of researchers led by Professor Daniel Franklin (BME) unveiled a cutting-edge wearable medical device designed to revolutionize cardiovascular monitoring. This innovative device integrates multiple sensory modalities to provide a comprehensive assessment of hemodynamic status, surpassing conventional blood pressure monitoring.
New research paper unveils breakthrough sensor for real-time cellular analysis in living zebrafish embryos
In a study published today, researchers from the University of Toronto have introduced an innovative biosensor, Apollo-NADP+, in living zebrafish embryos to track molecular metabolism. The study, featured in Science Advances, sheds light on the potential applications of this cutting-edge technology in understanding cellular processes and addresses a critical question in diabetes research.
Meet the 2023 Leadership of Biomedical Engineering Students’ Association
Introducing the Movers and Shakers of the Biomedical Engineering Students’ Association (BESA)! Meet the visionary leaders steering the Biomedical Engineering Students’ Association towards a brighter, healthier future in 2023.
Meet the incoming class of 2023
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.