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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Research utilizes machine learning to improve gait analysis in rehabilitation
The latest research led by Prof. Jan Andrysek published in a peer-reviewed article showcases a pioneering approach to gait analysis, a crucial aspect of rehabilitation and clinical diagnosis. Clinicians have long relied on gait indicators like step length, stride velocity, and joint angles to assess and treat gait issues. However, traditional statistical methods have limitations in analyzing the vast sets of data generated by instrumented gait analysis techniques.
BME Professor secures CIHR funding to improve autism medication selection
Dr. Azadeh Kushki (BME) has been awarded funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) for her work in improving medication selection for autistic children. Along with Dr. Danielle Baribeau, Dr. Melanie Penner, and Marlee Vandewouw at the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, this funding provides operational support to perform research.
Heart-on-a-chip model created by U of T researchers uncovers insights into heart problems caused by COVID-19
University of Toronto researchers have created a unique heart-on-a-chip model that is helping untangle the causes of COVID-19-induced heart inflammation and uncover strategies to reduce its impact.
New Canada Research Chairs advance research in regenerative medicine, sustainable housing and more
New ways of growing human tissues outside the body, developed by Professor Alison McGuigan and her team, will help expand the ability of researchers to understand and control cell behaviour.
CRAFT-led team awarded $17.5M to create new generation of ‘distributed’ diagnostics
A team of researchers from the University of Toronto (U of T), Unity Health Toronto (Unity), University Health Network (UHN) and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) have been awarded a $17.5M grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and partners to build the Diagnostic Horizons Lab (DHL) in Toronto.
Wellspring Data Limited and University of Toronto’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering Partner to Advance Cardiovascular Health Monitoring
Wellspring Data Limited announces a strategic partnership with BME. This collaboration aims to revolutionize cardiovascular health monitoring through cutting-edge research and innovative technology solutions.
Dr. Omar Khan comments on rising measles cases | CityNews
Dr. Omar F. Khan comments on the rising measles cases surge worldwide. Ensure your vaccinations are up to date, especially in BC where access to records varies.
Two BME faculty members were awarded the Accelerate Seed Grant and Accelerate Moonshot grant
Milica Radisic and Leo Chou are two BME faculty members who were awarded the Accelerate Seed Grant and Accelerate Moonshot grant, as a part of a $1.2 million total funding from the Acceleration Consortium
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.
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.
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.
‘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.
U of T Researchers Dispel Long-Standing Theory Guiding Nanoparticle Treatment of Tumours
Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed an alternative theory to explain how nanoparticles enter and exit the tumours they are meant to treat. This new principle debunks a leading theory in cancer nanomedicine that has guided research for nearly four decades.