Dr. P

Introduction to Biomedical Engineering

  • Speaker: Dr. Penn
  • Experience: 12 years in teaching biomedical engineering, integral part of the BME department's inception.

Department Overview

  • Dr. Penn emphasizes the growth and maturation of the department.
  • Aiming to create a strong reputation in the field, stating it is possibly one of the best biomedical engineering departments in the country.
  • Alumni feedback: High demand for graduates in both graduate school and industry.

Defining Unmet Clinical Needs

  • Definition: An unmet clinical need refers to conditions or diseases without satisfactory therapeutic solutions.
  • Examples include diseases lacking effective cures and disabilities without effective approaches.
  • Objective: Improve patients' quality of life through biomedical engineering innovations.
  • Courses highlighted:
    • Lab Techniques (sophomore year)
    • Tissue Engineering (senior year)
    • Senior Design (senior year)

The Journey in Biomedical Engineering

  • Focus of Biomedical Engineering: Meeting unmet clinical needs and improving life quality for patients.
  • Personal motivations: Helping others and making a significant impact through engineering.

Historical Context of Biomedical Engineering

  • Before a dedicated biomedical engineering discipline existed, engineering was primarily categorized into mechanical, chemical, and electrical.
  • Now, biomedical engineering programs are established in many universities, representing a focused and evolving field.

Biomedical Engineering Context

  • Dr. Penn's background in chemical engineering and its application to the biomedical domain.
  • The necessity for engineers to bridge the gap between medical science and practical solutions for patients.

Current Trends and Developments

  • Rapid developments in biomedical engineering, with mention of advancements such as mRNA vaccines during the COVID pandemic.

Student Background Engagement

  • Dr. Penn engages students to assess their backgrounds and experiences and highlights diversity in their educational paths.

Sickle Cell Disease

  • Introduction to sickle cell disease:
    • Statistics: 75,000 hospitalizations annually; leads to multiple organ damage and shorter lifespans (average lifespan around 35-40 years).
    • Cause: Mutation in the hemoglobin gene leading to sickle-shaped, non-deformable red blood cells.
    • Consequences: Cells get trapped leading to blood flow restrictions, organ damage, and pain crises commonly referred to as vascular occlusive crises.
  • Illustrative impact: Personal reflection on the life expectancy of sickle cell patients.

Urgency for Solutions in Biomedical Engineering

  • Recognition of the long-standing knowledge of sickle cell disease (over 50-70 years) without effective cures.
  • Call for urgency among biomedical engineers to innovate treatments for well-known diseases.

Drug Discovery Process

  • Example of GMI 1070: a compound hypothesized to inhibit certain interactions contributing to inflammation in sickle cell disease.

Biomedical Engineering Protocols

  • Steps for the drug discovery process:
    1. Identify the disease (sickle cell disease).
    2. Determine molecular targets that mediate disease effects.

Mechanisms of Disease and Drug Interaction

  • Explanation of normal vs. pathological inflammation:
    • When inflammation occurs, neutrophils (white blood cells) slow down due to interactions with endothelial cells in blood vessels.
    • Pathological interaction in sickle cell leads to harmful cell adhesion that must be inhibited.

Engineering Models for Drug Testing

  • Description of building a model to simulate physiological conditions for drug testing:
    • Use of acrylic and silicone to create a flow chamber and study cell adhesion under controlled shear stress conditions.

Experiments and Observations

  • Procedure for experimenting with neutrophils and measuring their interactions with endothelial cells using microscopy.
  • Capacity to analyze efficacy of drugs based on adherence rates of neutrophils to E-selectin under different conditions.
    • Examples of techniques used for visualization and measurement of cell interactions.

Outcomes and Clinical Trials

  • Timeline showing transition from drug research to supporting clinical trials:
    • Enrollment in Phase II trials involving patients aged 12-65 across 22 sites.
    • Results: Reduced duration of vascular occlusive crisis, shorter hospital stays (from 5 days to 3 days), and less reliance on narcotic pain relief.

Looking Forward in Biomedical Engineering Careers

  • Broad range of career paths includes drug development, medical devices, and tissue engineering.
  • Invitation for students to consider their interests and explore various sectors of biomedical engineering.

Conclusion

  • Anticipation for future classes in Lab Techniques and Tissue Engineering, emphasizing teamwork and critical skills cultivation in students.