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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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.
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.
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.
Four BME faculty promoted to associate professor
Drs. Kei Masani, Sarah Vasconcelos, Sowmya Viswanathan, and Azadeh Yadollahi were both promoted to Associate Professor at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (BME). This promotion was based on their research excellence, teaching mandates, and community- based contributions.
Researchers develop a quantum dot smartphone device to diagnose and track COVID-19
Researchers at the University of Toronto (Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Donnelly Centre for Biomolecular Research) in collaboration with Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Public Health Ontario, and Mt. Sinai Hospital have engineered a diagnostic test with a smartphone reader to surveil and track COVID-19 patients.
An innovative approach to visualize the peri-implant healing process at single-cell resolution
In a recent study, researchers from the University of Toronto employed a unique state-of-the-art imaging technique for deep tissue imaging, that has enabled the monitoring of peri-implant bony healing biology in action. This technology can lead to a better understanding of the healing process, allowing researchers to leverage this knowledge to develop faster therapeutic approaches with the use of biomaterials for the future.
New method can improve drug delivery in implants
An innovative biomaterial discovery by researchers at the University of Toronto in collaboration with Ripple Therapeutics Inc., has established a method that yields better control over drug release profiles in implants and has the potential to disrupt the classical drug delivery market.
A helping hand for neurorehabilitation
Dr. Jose Zariffa and his research team are developing tools that enable clinicians to evaluate rehabilitation success and track recovery. The goal is to create a personalized process for the improvement of rehabilitation from spinal cord injuries and stroke, accelerating the affected individuals back on the road to recovery.
Explainer: U of T Engineering professor Omar F. Khan on COVID-19 vaccination efficacy, misconceptions and Canada’s rollout
As Canada races to vaccinate its citizens amid an increase in variant infections, writer Liz Do spoke to Professor Omar F. Khan (BME), an immunoengineering expert. Khan, whose lab designs nanotechnology devices that can deliver RNA technology to cells for better disease treatment, explains common concerns and questions around COVID-19 vaccines.
‘The next big step’: U of T researchers pursue a treatment for vision loss
Supported by U of T’s Medicine by Design initiative, a multidisciplinary team led by University Professor Molly Shoichet (ChemE, BME, Donnely) plans to use retinal stem cells to restore vision.
U of T researchers develop a new tool for scooping contents of individual cells from their local environment
Scientists can now select individual cells from a population that grows on the surface of a laboratory dish and study their molecular contents. Developed by U of T researchers, the new tool will enable a deeper study of stem cells and other rare cell types for therapy development.
‘Our very first biotech win’: How U of T’s discovery of insulin made it a research and innovation powerhouse
Paul Santerre, a professor in the Faculty of Dentistry and the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, says the extent of progress on diabetes and insulin will partly depend on how well research breakthroughs from scholars like Brubaker can be married with efforts at commercialization and innovation.
Re-engineered enzyme could help reverse damage from spinal cord injury and stroke
A team of researchers from U of T Engineering and the University of Michigan have redesigned and enhanced a natural enzyme that shows promise in promoting the regrowth of nerve tissue following injury.
New evidence on factors that promote bone mineralization – U of T researchers find
A research team led by Dr. Eli Sone (BME, MSE, Dentistry) has discovered a new role in mineralization played by a class of molecules, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
U of T Engineering researchers develop cell injection technique that could help reverse vision loss
U of T Engineering researchers have developed a new method of injecting healthy cells into damaged eyes. The technique could point the way toward new treatments with the potential to reverse forms of vision loss that are currently incurable.
How to get more cancer-fighting nanoparticles to where they are needed
U of T Engineering researchers have discovered a dose threshold that greatly increases the delivery of cancer-fighting drugs into a tumour.
Credit-card sized tool provides new insights into how cancer cells invade host tissues
A group of researchers from the University of Toronto have developed a new tool to study breast cancer metastasis. By using a device that’s the size of a credit card, researchers can produce various biological environments to mimic the progression of cancer cell invasion.
Robotics for elder care: New joint centre fosters global collaboration
The new joint centre on robotics for elder care is led by professors Alex Mihailidis (IBBME, Medicine) and Yan Fu at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
U of T Engineering set to host first-ever virtual research conference
Brandon Rufino (IBBME MHSC candidate) will be presenting in the human health category as a lightning lecture speaker. Under the supervision of Professor Elaine Biddiss (IBBME), he and his fellow grad students develop and evaluate technologies to allow young people with disabilities to participate more meaningfully in arts, music, physical activities and therapies.
New ‘rock candy’ approach could lead to simpler, faster tests for COVID-19
Testing for viruses is not a new science, but the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the bottlenecks in established methods. Now, a team led by Professor Leo Chou (IBBME) is pursuing a non-traditional approach that, if successful, could lead to simpler, faster tests.
U of T researchers develop ‘piggyback’ vehicle to escape the endosomal trap and deliver RNA therapeutics
U of T researchers develop ‘piggyback’ vehicle to escape the endosomal trap and deliver RNA therapeutics
Meet Donnelly Centre Team Developing on-the-go Test for COVID-19
While most people are sheltering at home, for a team led by Professor Warren Chan it’s business as usual as they continue to develop an automated, more sensitive and rapid test for COVID-19 to help curb the pandemic.
U of T precision medicine initiative launches task force to fight COVID-19
The PRiME Task Force on Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics for COVID-19 brings together U of T researchers with expertise in a variety of fields to develop new diagnostic tools and therapeutics