Molecular Biomedical Engineering

Molecular biomedical engineering is the fusion of molecular biological science with engineering fundamentals to advance the understanding of biological operating systems and to develop biology based technologies with the potential to transform clinical outcomes.

The Molecular Biomedical Engineering Laboratory program analyzes musculoskeletal disease processes and immunologic responses at molecular and cellular levels. Some of our current research examines cellular functions and interactions initiating pathologic changes in bone reformation, congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia, and tumor-induced osteolysis. Theory is translated into practical application through studies involving animal models, a standard foundation for sound clinical investigation.

The Molecular Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, under the direction of orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Francis Lee, is currently spearheading novel research projects. A clinician-scientist, Dr. Lee has specific interests in the pathogenesis of bone destruction, inflammatory bone loss, and sarcoma research. Together with his talented research team, the Molecular Biomedical Engineering lab has focused on the development of new pharmacologics to prevent bone loss, bone graft substitutes for bone tumors, innovative implants that resist inflammatory bone loss, and stem cell delivery mechanisms for sarcoma treatment. Dr. Lee has received two grants from the NIH, as well as numerous grants from prestigious research foundations.

The definitive goal is to improve overall bone health by developing novel therapeutic strategies to enhance bone formation, regulate bone loss, reduce fractures, prevent cancer spread to the bone, improve orthopaedic implant integration, promote healing, and decrease health care burden.