There is a growing need for a quantitative understanding of biological systems, providing opportunities for the application of engineering to the life sciences. Emerging models can predict and quantify the behaviour of natural actuators (muscle and molecular motors within the cell), natural sensors (hearing, vision) and physiological functions (repiration, cardiac activity). 'Engineering for the Life Sciences' covers a broad remit, from using numerical techniques to address problems analytically, to the development of artefacts and equipment to assist in medical diagnosis and treatment. Length scales are from molecular to macroscopic.
New modules are continuously being introduced in the third and fourth year undergraduate programme, covering general bioscience as well as specific applications of engineering for the life sciences. A popular second year elective gives students a taster of the field.
This web site brings together the research work currently undertaken within the Engineering Department which have medical and biological applications, under four major themes:
Biomechanics and soft tissue engineering
Medical Devices
Signal Processing
Bio-MEMS and Sensors