Editing Biomedical engineering (section)

== Subfields and related fields ==

=== Bioinformatics ===
{{Main|Bioinformatics}}
[[File:Microarray2.gif|thumb|Example of an approximately 40,000 probe spotted oligo [[microarray]] with enlarged inset to show detail]]

'''Bioinformatics''' is an interdisciplinary field that develops methods and software tools for understanding biological data. As an interdisciplinary field of science, bioinformatics combines computer science, statistics, mathematics, and engineering to analyze and interpret biological data.

Bioinformatics is considered both an umbrella term for the body of biological studies that use computer programming as part of their methodology, as well as a reference to specific analysis "pipelines" that are repeatedly used, particularly in the field of genomics. Common uses of bioinformatics include the identification of candidate genes and nucleotides (SNPs). Often, such identification is made with the aim of better understanding the genetic basis of disease, unique adaptations, desirable properties (esp. in agricultural species), or differences between populations. In a less formal way, bioinformatics also tries to understand the organizational principles within nucleic acid and protein sequences.

=== Biomechanics ===
[[File:B09685P005 (1).jpg|thumb|[[Data]] obtained from [[crash test dummy]] impacts are integral to the field of [[biomechanics]].]]

{{Main|Biomechanics}}
Biomechanics is the study of the structure and function of the mechanical aspects of biological systems, at any level from whole [[organism]]s to [[Organ (anatomy)|organs]], [[Cell (biology)|cells]] and [[cell organelle]]s,<ref>{{cite journal | author = Alexander R. McNeill  | s2cid = 14032136 | year = 2005 | title = Mechanics of animal movement | journal = [[Current Biology]] | volume =  15| issue = 16| pages =  R616–R619| doi = 10.1016/j.cub.2005.08.016 | pmid = 16111929 | doi-access = free }}</ref> using the methods of [[mechanics]].<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Hatze| first1=Herbert| year=1974| title=The meaning of the term biomechanics| journal=Journal of Biomechanics| volume= 7| issue =12| pages=189–190| doi=10.1016/0021-9290(74)90060-8| pmid=4837555}}</ref>

=== Biomaterials ===
{{Main|Biomaterial}}

A '''biomaterial''' is any matter, surface, or construct that interacts with living systems. As a science, '''biomaterials''' is about fifty years old. The study of biomaterials is called '''biomaterials science or biomaterials engineering'''. It has experienced steady and strong growth over its history, with many companies investing large amounts of money into the development of new products. Biomaterials science encompasses elements of medicine, biology, chemistry, tissue engineering and materials science.

=== Biomedical optics ===
{{Main|Medical optical imaging}}
Biomedical optics combines the principles of physics, engineering, and biology to study the interaction of biological tissue and light, and how this can be exploited for sensing, imaging, and treatment.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/medphys/contacts/people/bcox/MPHYX910_Biomedical_Optics_notes_Nov2015.pdf |title=Introduction to Biomedical Optics |access-date=2018-01-25 |archive-date=2024-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726171612/https://www.ucl.ac.uk/medphys/contacts/people/bcox/MPHYX910_Biomedical_Optics_notes_Nov2015.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> It has a wide range of applications, including optical imaging, microscopy, ophthalmoscopy, spectroscopy, and therapy. Examples of biomedical optics techniques and technologies include ''[[optical coherence tomography]]'' (OCT), ''[[fluorescence microscopy]]'', ''[[confocal microscopy]]'', and ''[[photodynamic therapy]]'' (PDT). OCT, for example, uses light to create high-resolution, three-dimensional images of internal structures, such as the ''[[retina]]'' in the eye or the ''[[coronary arteries]]'' in the heart. Fluorescence microscopy involves labeling specific molecules with fluorescent dyes and visualizing them using light, providing insights into biological processes and disease mechanisms. More recently, ''[[adaptive optics]]'' is helping imaging by correcting aberrations in biological tissue, enabling higher resolution imaging and improved accuracy in procedures such as laser surgery and retinal imaging.

=== Tissue engineering ===
{{Main|Tissue engineering}}

Tissue engineering, like genetic engineering (see below), is a major segment of [[biotechnology]] – which overlaps significantly with BME.

One of the goals of tissue engineering is to create artificial organs (via biological material) such as kidneys, livers, for patients that need organ transplants. Biomedical engineers are currently researching methods of creating such organs. Researchers have grown solid [[Human jawbone|jawbones]]<ref name = BBC>{{cite news | title = Jaw bone created from stem cells | date = October 10, 2009 | access-date = 11 October 2009 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8290138.stm | publisher = BBC News | archive-date = 11 October 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091011100922/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8290138.stm | url-status = live }}</ref> and [[Vertebrate trachea|tracheas]]<ref>[[Thorsten Walles|Walles T]]. Tracheobronchial bio-engineering: biotechnology fulfilling unmet medical needs. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2011; 63(4–5): 367–74.</ref> from human stem cells towards this end. Several [[artificial urinary bladder]]s have been grown in laboratories and transplanted successfully into human patients.<ref name="cnngrow">{{cite news | url = http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/conditions/04/03/engineered.organs/index.html | title = Doctors grow organs from patients' own cells | publisher = CNN| date = April 3, 2006 | access-date = October 2, 2006 | archive-date = May 25, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170525073410/http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/conditions/04/03/engineered.organs/index.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Bioartificial organs, which use both synthetic and biological component, are also a focus area in research, such as with hepatic assist devices that use liver cells within an artificial bioreactor construct.<ref name="chicagoliver">[http://www.uchospitals.edu/news/1999/19990225-elad.html Trial begins for first artificial liver device using human cells] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105063712/http://www.uchospitals.edu/news/1999/19990225-elad.html |date=2011-01-05 }}, [[University of Chicago]], February 25, 1999</ref>

[[File:Alcian stain micromass.jpg|right|thumb|Micromass cultures of C3H-10T1/2 cells at varied oxygen tensions stained with [[Alcian blue]]]]