Materials, Advanced Design
&
Manufacturing
96
2.8
Biomedical engineering
Keywords
Biomechanics, material properties, numerical
simulation, modelling, medical devices,
cell engineering, molecular motors, biocomputation,
microfluidics, protein adsorption
Expertise
Biomedical engineering uses engineering methodologies
to improve knowledge and understanding of biological
processes and develop technologies that can benefit
clinical practice.
The University’s expertise encompasses the material
characterisation of biological tissue (eye globe, muscles
and tendons, bone structure, skin) both at the macro- and
micro-levels. Our interdisciplinary research team also has
expertise in the numerical simulation of the mechanical
behaviour of organs, the analysis of clinically-obtained
organ topographies, the development of medical devices
(
ophthalmology) and patient-specific planning tools.
Intelligent-like behaviour for microorganisms’
survival and growth
Liverpool has expertise in the fabrication of devices
and structures that interact with and confine motile
biological systems (fungi, bacteria and molecular
motors). Our research comprises the study of the
global algorithms used by fungi (and a comparison
with motile bacteria) to negotiate microfabricated
mazes, with and without chemotaxis ‘clues’. We are
also examining the information processing asso-
ciated with cytoskeleton formation when fungi are in
confined media (a phenomenon best described as
inside-out programmed microfluidics).
Facilities include advanced microscopy, including
confocal and atomic force microscopy; microfluid-
ics and lab-on-chip fabrication; and modelling and
simulation of biological systems.
Capabilities and facilities
Material characterisation:
•
Experimental rigs to test tissue in conditions that
simulate
in vivo
physiology
•
Uniaxial testing instruments
•
Behaviour monitoring equipment (eg pressure
sensors, laser displacement sensors, multiple
camera systems, digital image correlation software)
•
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) accommodating all
AFM imaging modes (ie contact, tapping, lateral and
vertical force microscopy, electric and magnetic
mapping, liquid imaging)
•
Confocal microscopy
•
Nanolithography and manipulation capabilities for
molecular writing and nano-particle manipulation
(
providing calculations of diffusion constants,
programme line lengths and dot dimensions).
Numerical simulation:
•
Nonlinear finite element software packages (eg
Abaqus FEA)
•
Inverse modelling software (Heeds)
•
Modelling and simulation of biological systems.
Microfabrication:
•
Spin coating for a wide range of viscosities and film
thicknesses
•
Laser micro-ablation for microfabrication using a
variety of materials (eg polymers, thin metallic films)
•
Microlithography aligner for classical micropatterning
•
Microfluidics and lab-on-chip fabrication.
Micromanipulation:
•
Laser tweezers and laser scissors.
Also see:
Health & Wellbeing –
5.1
Eye and vision, page 29
Digital Technologies –
2.4
Biocomputation and
biomechanics, page 149
Materials, Advanced Design &
Manufacturing –
2.1
Laser engineering, page 90
For further information
on all our specialist
centres, facilities and
laboratories
go to page
179
