Physics Colloquium, April 9, 2002

Better Medicine Through BioMEMS (Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems) and Biomedical Nanotechnology

Prof. Mauro Ferrari

Director of the Biomedical Engineering Center
Ohio State University

For the better part of ten years we have been engaged in the effort to employ micro- and nanotechnology to open new horizons for medical therapeutics. It all started in my Berkeley days, and is now continuing with growing momentum at The Ohio State University, at iMEDD, Inc., and at the universities where the original group of students and postdocs have obtained faculty posts: U. Illinois, U. Washington, MIT, Georgetown, and Duke among them.

Following a brief overview of current medical therapeutic bioMEMS and nanotech programs, this presentation will focus on the technology platforms we have created. These include microchips for immuno-isolated cell xenografts, controlled release depots, the microtechnology for oral delivery of biopharmaceuticals, and injectable microparticles for the management of metastatic disease.

3.30 p.m., Smith Laboratory, Room 1005

Refreshments served in Smith 1094 at 3:00 p.m.