Research News and 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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Rebuilding the injured brain | Cindi Morshead Lab
The human brain has only a limited ability to repair itself after injury, but scientists are working to change that. In Professor Cindi Morshead’s lab, researchers study neural stem cells: the rare cells capable of generating new neurons and support cells in the brain. Her team investigates how these stem cells grow, migrate, and specialize, and how they can be guided to help repair damage caused by stroke, spinal cord injury, and childhood brain injuries.
Advancing musculoskeletal research at the Holland Bone and Joint Research Program
The Holland Bone and Joint Research Program at Sunnybrook Research Institute continues to drive progress in musculoskeletal science through collaborative, translational research. Drs. Cari Whyne and Michael Hardisty are contributing to meaningful advancements in patient care.
Quagga mussel protein offers new source of inspiration for medical-grade adhesives that work in wet conditions
Researchers at the University of Toronto have identified a protein from the quagga mussel that can stick to surfaces underwater, even though it lacks a chemical feature long thought to be essential for this kind of adhesion. The protein, called Dbfp7, is the first freshwater mussel adhesive protein to be functionally characterized.
Mining the dark transcriptome: U of T Engineering researchers create the first potential drug molecules from long noncoding RNA
A team from U of T Engineering is the first to synthesize long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) outside the cell — a new approach to drug discovery that has already yielded some promising anti-inflammatory molecules.
Improving mobility after spinal cord injury | Kei Masani Lab
In the Motion and Adaptation Science Laboratory at the University of Toronto, Professor Kei Masani and his team study new ways to improve balance and movement for people with neurological impairments. By combining functional electrical stimulation with real-time visual feedback and motion tracking tools such as depth cameras, the lab is developing better ways to assess and support standing, walking, and adapted exercise.
MRI technique enables long-term tracking of transplanted stem cell–derived heart cells
Dr. Keyu Zhuang (left, currently a Specially Appointed Research Fellow at Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute at Shanghai University School of Medicine ) and Professor Hai-Ling Margaret Cheng (right) at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto have developed an MRI method to track transplanted stem-cell-derived heart cells over time, enabling scientists to monitor their survival and improve therapies for heart damage such as that caused by heart attacks (Photo: KITE Studio, Tim Fraser).
Advancing pediatric rehabilitation through technology | Elaine Biddiss Lab
Discover how the Possibility Engineering and Research Lab (PEARL), led by Professor Elaine Biddiss, is advancing pediatric rehabilitation through innovative, evidence-based technologies. Leveraging gamified therapy systems like Bootle Blast to interactive platforms such as ScreenPlay and Bootle Band, PEARL’s interdisciplinary team develops tools that make rehabilitation more engaging, accessible, and personalized for children and youth with disabilities.
Multiple BME faculty secure CIHR project grant funding in fall 2025 competition
Several core faculty members from the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME) have received Project Grant funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) in the Fall 2025 competition. These awards support research across all areas of health, from early‑stage discovery to clinical application.
Engineering RNA nanotechnology for better health | Omar F. Khan Lab
How do you control disease at the genetic level without changing DNA? In this research highlight, discover how Professor Omar Khan and his team at the University of Toronto are building nanotechnologies that deliver RNA directly to cells to control gene expression with precision.
Designing smarter drug delivery for precision medicine | Caitlin Maikawa Lab
In this research highlight, discover how Professor Caitlin Maikawa and her team are engineering dynamic polymer materials that adapt to biological changes, enabling more precise, responsive drug delivery.
Researchers highlight “regenerative healing” as a holistic framework for future health innovations
A new paper by Professors Michael V. Sefton (University of Toronto) and Malcolm King and Alexandra King (University of Saskatchewan) introduces the term “regenerative healing” as a complementary, more holistic concept to regenerative medicine. The authors suggest the framework may better reflect Indigenous perspectives on health and wellness and support more inclusive conversations about emerging biomedical therapies.
Inaugural BESA 3-Minute Thesis Competition Highlights Research Excellence and Communication
The Biomedical Engineering Students Association (BESA) proudly hosted its inaugural 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition, celebrating graduate research excellence and the ability to communicate complex scientific ideas to a broad audience. The competition was held over two stages, with the semi-final round taking place on November 14, 2025, followed by the final round on November 28, 2025, bringing together graduate students from across the Department of Biomedical Engineering.
U of T researchers show that fractal geometry can help kidney cells grow in a more mature form
Researchers at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto have developed a new way to grow specialized kidney cells in the lab so that they look and behave more like they do in the body.
Imaging, Microfluidics, and Diabetes Studies | Jonathan Rocheleau Lab
Discover how the Rocheleau lab investigates communication between pancreatic islets, beta cells, and vascular endothelial cells, and how these interactions are altered in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Research approaches include two-photon and confocal microscopy, microfluidics, and live-cell fluorescence imaging to study islet metabolism and tissue function.
Decoding the brain’s hidden rhythms | Berj Bardakjian Lab
Discover how Professor Berj Bardakjian and the Neural Systems Lab at the University of Toronto are uncovering the electrical “alphabet” of the brain. This research explores the hidden rhythms behind how we think and move, with a focus on predicting seizures, improving diagnosis, and advancing machine learning tools for brain disorders such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and depression.
Engineering the future of heart health | Craig Simmons Lab
The Craig Simmons Lab at the University of Toronto investigates how biomechanical forces shape the behavior of cells, driving regeneration, repair, and disease in cardiovascular tissues. By integrating experimental and computational cell mechanics with state-of-the-art molecular biology, the lab uncovers how heart valve calcification develops, how stem cells can be guided to rebuild tissue, and how lab-on-a-chip technologies can accelerate drug testing. Their work is redefining the future of cardiovascular medicine through mechanobiology and engineering innovation.
Building artificial tissues to personalize medicine | Alison McGuigan Lab
In Professor Alison McGuigan’s lab at the University of Toronto, researchers are creating artificial tissues that mimic the complexity of the human body. These engineered tissues help scientists discover new drugs, predict how patients might respond to treatment, and even reveal who might be at higher risk for certain diseases. By combining tools from biomaterials, microfabrication, and synthetic biology, the McGuigan Lab is pioneering a new frontier in regenerative medicine and personalized health care.
Discover how cells heal and build tissues | Rodrigo Fernandez-Gonzalez Lab
Professor Rodrigo Fernandez-Gonzalez and his team study how cells coordinate to shape and repair tissues. Using live imaging and bioengineering tools in fruit fly embryos, they uncover how cells move, communicate, and generate forces to heal wounds and form organs like the heart. Their discoveries could lead to new ways to promote healing and improve regenerative medicine.
Professor Milica Radisic featured in CBC news
Professor Milica Radisic has recently been featured in CBC News for her pioneering work in bioengineering and personalized medicine. With a focus on organ on a chip, these lab-grown models using a patient’s own cells to simulate organ function and tumor response. These devices offer a promising alternative to traditional drug testing methods, potentially improving the accuracy of cancer treatment predictions and reducing reliance on animal testing.
Using nature to guide engineering | Eli Sone Lab
Professor Eli Sone and his team study how nature builds and bonds, from the way bones form to how mussels stick to surfaces, to inspire new technologies for healthcare and the environment. Their research spans bone-regenerating biomaterials, next-generation medical adhesives, and innovative ways to protect ecosystems.
Engineering stem cell therapies for diseases | Michael Garton Lab
Dr. Michael Garton leads a research lab integrating generative AI, protein design, and stem cell biology to develop new gene and cell therapies. His team is engineering stem cell-derived tissues with enhanced survival and therapeutic functions, with the long-term goal of creating curative treatments for thousands of currently untreatable diseases.
Droplet microfluidics and microbiome research at the Lan lab
At the Lan Lab, led by Professor Freeman Lan, tiny droplets are unlocking big breakthroughs. Using ultrahigh-throughput droplet microfluidics, the team can run millions of experiments in parallel, transforming how we study cells, microbes, and the human microbiome.
Dr. Noor Abu Jarad awarded a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship
Dr. Noor Abu Jarad awarded a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship Dr. Noor Abu Jarad has been awarded a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship, one of Canada’s most prestigious postdoctoral awards. The Banting Postdoctoral […]
How boutIQ is improving cell culture media with AI
boutIQ Solutions, a Toronto-based biotech startup, is transforming cell therapy by using AI and machine learning to optimize cell culture media formulations. Their innovative approach tackles one of regenerative medicine’s toughest challenges: keeping lab-grown cells healthy, functional, and clinically ready.