Bioengineering (also biomedical engineering and medical engineering) is an application of engineering principles and design to challenges in human health and medicine. Bioengineering is related to Biological Engineering, the latter including applications of engineering principles to the full spectrum of living systems, from microbes and plants to ecosystems. Bioengineering exploits new developments in molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, and neurosciences as well as sensing, electronics, and imaging, and applies them to the design of medical devices, diagnostic equipment, biocompatible materials, and other important medical needs.
Bioengineering couples engineering expertise with knowledge in biological sciences such as genetics, molecular biology, protein chemistry, cytology, neurobiology, immunology, physiology, and pharmacology. Bioengineers work closely with, but are not limited to, medical doctors and other health professionals to develop technical solutions to current and emerging health concerns.
Bioengineering is not limited to the medical field. Bioengineers have the ability to exploit new opportunities and solve problems within the domain of complex systems. They have a great understanding of living systems as complex systems which can be applied to many fields including entrepreneurship.
Much as other engineering disciplines also address human health (e.g., prosthetics in mechanical engineering), bioengineers can apply their expertise to other applications of engineering and biotechnology, including genetic modification of plants and microorganisms, bioprocess engineering, and biocatalysis. However, the Main Fields of Bioengineering may be categorised as:
- Biomedical Engineering; Biomedical technology; Biomedical Diagnosis, Biomedical Therapy, Biomechanics, Biomaterials.
- Genetic Engineering; Cell Engineering, Tissue Culture Engineering.
Origin of word
The word was invented by British scientist and broadcaster Heinz Wolf in 1954.[1]
See also
- Advanced life support systems
- Agricultural engineering
- Bio-based materials
- Biocatalysis
- Biocompatible material (Biomaterials)
- Bioinformatics
- Biomaterials
- Biomechanics
- Bionics
- Biosensors
- Biotechnology
- Cryobiology
- Drug delivery
- Metabolic engineering
- Molecular engineering
- Neural Network
- Neuroengineering
- Orthopedic implants
- Production and purification of biopharmaceuticals
- Protein design
- Stem cell research
- Synthetic biology
- Systems biology
- Tissue Engineering
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