Engineering knowhow to help solve clinical problems
Engineers at the University of Southampton are joining forces with clinicians and medical researchers to explore new ways of helping patients.
A teaching and research initiative, BioXneT, has been created to bring together people with an interest in biomedical engineering and and other bioengineering fields to establish collaborations, seek new grants and attract talented students to work in this area. Academics in Medicine, Health Sciences and Biological Sciences will also be involved, alongside industry professionals. Approximately 50 engineers already work on projects related to biomedical engineering at Southampton.
"This is all about using engineering knowhow and tools to address clinical problems and a range of other bioengineering challenges," says Dr Neil Bressloff. "We aim to make the University of Southampton one of the UK's centres of excellence for biomedical engineering. This will involve working with both clinicians and the medical industry."
In collaboration with Arterius Ltd, he is developing a new biodegradable ‘stent' for insertion in the arteries of people with coronary artery disease.. The innovative device has been patented and will shortly move to clinical trials.
A wide range of projects are already underway in the University's Engineering and the Environment. They include work on cardiovascular devices, clearing dental bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease, hearing and balance, improving hip replacements and boosting early detection of foot ulcers in diabetics.
Neil aims to establish a master's of research (MRes) degree in biomedical engineering by 2013, followed by PhD opportunities for students through a Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) and an undergraduate degree.
For more information, see www.southampton.ac.uk/BioXneT