Research efforts in Bioengineering encompass a range of applications in biomaterials, biosensing, systems biology, environmental remediation and the conversion of renewable waste materials into commodity products.

Find out more about graduate studies in bioengineering!

Biomaterials

Sean Mathew in lab

PhD Candidate, Sean Mathew: 3D printing to make new soft connective tissues like ligaments and tendons.

researcher in lab

PhD Candidate Amanda Brissenden measuring hydrogel mechanical properties using a micromechanical tester.

Polymer biomaterials are being developed for use as implantable drug delivery devices and scaffolds for tissue engineering and biomedical devices. The host response to implanted polymer biomaterials is being investigated with the objective of directing the response to promote healing, improve tissue-material integration and enhance device performance and lifespan. The work involves collaboration with researchers and medical professionals in many different disciplines, including immunology, cardiology, orthopedics, cell biology, and mechanical engineering. Graduate students in this research area can participate in the Collaborative Program in Biomedical Engineering.

 

Research Faculty


Brian Amsden

Professor

amsden@queensu.ca
BioSci 1422A
613-533-3093

Kevin De FranceKevin De France

Assistant Professor

kevin.defrance@queensu.ca
BioSci 1443
613-533-6000 ext. 74108

Fitzpatrick, L.
Lindsay Fitzpatrick

Associate Professor

lindsay.fitzpatrick@queensu.ca
BioSci 4630
613-533-6000 ext. 78936

Laura Wells

Associate Professor

laura.wells@queensu.ca
BioSci 4628
613-533-6000 ext. 75836


Biosensors

Biosensor research involves the creation of functional micro and nano-scale structures, the systematic development of methodologies and process design tools for the synthesis of cost-effective lab-on-a-chip and other medical diagnostic tools, and the manufacturing of rapid and highly-sensitive sensors for the detection of harmful chemicals and infectious agents such as viruses and bacteria.

biosensor model

Research Faculty

Escobedo, C.Carlos Escobedo

Professor

carlos.escobedo@queensu.ca
Dupuis Hall 209
613-533-3095

Docoslis, A.Aris Docoslis

Professor

docoslis@queensu.ca
Dupuis Hall 208
613-533-6949


Systems Biology

Researchers are developing genomic, molecular biological, and computational technologies to engineer the chemical reaction networks that drive living cells. They engineer microbial cells as factories to sustainably produce valuable bioproducts from petrochemical or biological waste, or even food from CO 2. For biomedicine, they use machine learning to predict and explain drug side effects, and metabolic network models to study drug resistance mechanisms of infectious pathogens.

Research Faculty

Laurence Yang

Assistant Professor

laurence.yang@queensu.ca
Dupuis Hall 304
613-533-6000

McLellan, J.James McLellan

Professor

james.mclellan@queensu.ca
Dupuis Hall 316
613-533-2785


Environmental Remediation and Waste Conversion

Through multidisciplinary research that encompasses sustainability and environmentally sound practices, researchers are developing bioaccessibility methods to evaluate the risks associated with exposure to pollution and to reduce the costs associated with remediation of contaminated sites. Investigations include in-situ and ex-situ bioremediation options for common and emerging environmental pollutants. They also combine electrochemistry with microbial processes to convert CO 2 into chemicals and fuels.

pollutants diagrambiofuels diagram

Biochemical research activities also include the enhanced conversion of renewable and organic waste resources such as agricultural biomass, food waste, municipal biosolids, and animal manure into energy, fuels, and value-added chemicals (e.g. bioplastics). Research includes implementation of emerging pretreatment technologies for advanced anaerobic digestion and fermentation processes, anaerobic co-digestion of municipal and industrial organic waste, sludge dewatering, and nutrient recovery from wastewater, as well as chemical and enzyme-catalyzed processes.

Research Faculty


Louise Meunier

Associate Professor

louise.meunier@queensu.ca
Dupuis Hall 211
613-533-6000

Koupaie, E.Ehssan H. Koupaie

Assistant Professor

ehssan.koupaie@queensu.ca
Dupuis Hall 303
613-533-6000 ext. 77931

CAO, T
Cao Thang Dinh

Assistant Professor

caothang.dinh@queensu.ca
Dupuis Hall 305
613-533-6618

Laurence YangLaurence Yang

Assistant Professor

laurence.yang@queensu.ca
Dupuis Hall 304
613-533-6000

McLellan, J.James McLellan

 

Professor

james.mclellan@queensu.ca
Dupuis Hall 316
613-533-2785