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.

Biomaterials

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

Names	Rank	Contact
Brian Amsden	Professor	brian.amsden@queensu.ca BioSci 1422A 613-533-3093
Lindsay Fitzpatrick	Assistant Professor	lindsay.fitzpatrick@queensu.ca BioSci 4630 613-533-6000 ext. 78936
Laura Wells	Assistant 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.

Research Faculty

Names	Rank	Contact
Carlos Escobedo	Associate Professor	carlos.escobedo@queensu.ca Dupuis Hall 209 613-533-3095

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 CO₂. They also combine electrochemistry with microbial processes to convert CO₂ into chemicals and fuels. 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

Names	Rank	Contact
Laurence Yang	Assistant Professor	laurence.yang@queensu.ca Dupuis Hall 304 613-533-6000

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.

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

Names	Rank	Contact
Louise Meunier	Assistant Professor	louise.meunier@queensu.ca Dupuis Hall 211 613-533-6000
Ehssan H. Koupaie	Assistant Professor	ehssan.koupaie@queensu.ca Dupuis Hall 303 613-533-6000 ext. 77931