Cell and Tissue Engineering

What is Cell and Tissue Engineering?

Cell and tissue engineering seeks to understand and control the behavior of cells and tissues, focusing on how environmental factors—such as chemical and physical influences—affect cell growth, differentiation, and behavior. By using innovative materials, cell growth techniques, and genetic modifications, researchers in this field aim to improve medical treatments and outcomes.

Areas of Focus

Our biomedical engineers are leading cutting-edge studies to:

  • Develop advanced biomaterials for tissue regeneration and repair across various organs, including bone, cartilage, muscle, skin, and nerve tissues.
  • Explore innovative approaches in stem cell therapies for the repair and regeneration of cardiac, hepatic, renal, and pancreatic tissues.
  • Use ultrasound technology, microfluidic systems, and other advanced tools for targeted drug delivery, cell culture, and therapeutic applications.
  • Investigate the role of extracellular matrices and mechanical forces in influencing cell behavior, growth, and tissue development.
  • Design and optimize medical tools, sensors, and systems for personalized, effective healthcare solutions.
A closeup of a modified cubette with acoustically transparent windows on two opposing sides designed to be used for acoustically patterning cells and collagen.

Healing from the Inside

Cell and Tissue Engineering at Rochester

At the University of Rochester, interdisciplinary research in cell and tissue engineering combines biology and engineering to develop cutting-edge therapies, diagnostic sensors, and medical tools for diverse healthcare applications. This research is further strengthened through collaboration with a wide range of departments, centers, and researchers, notably the Center for Musculoskeletal Research and the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Cell and Tissue Engineering Researchers

Meet the faculty at the forefront of cell and tissue engineering research.

Interesting in doing research here as a graduate student? Check out our doctoral training faculty page for a list of biomedical engineering faculty who work with graduate students. 

Headshot of Hani A. Awad.

Hani A. Awad, PhD

Musculoskeletal tissue engineering

Headshot of Danielle Benoit.

Danielle Benoit, PhD

Therapeutic biomaterials

Headshot of Mark Buckley.

Mark Buckley, PhD

Viscoelasticity in soft biological tissues; soft tissue aging, disease and repair

Headshot of Patricia Chess.

Patricia Chess, PhD

Effects of strain on pulmonary epithelium

Headshot of Robert L. Clark.

Robert L. Clark, PhD

Dynamic systems, measurement and control, and the exploration of single-molecule mechanics

Headshot of Diane Dalecki.

Diane Dalecki, PhD

Biomedical ultrasound, acoustics, lithotripsy, biological effects of ultrasound

Headshot of David Dean.

David Dean, PhD

Gene therapy

Headshot of Lisa A. DeLouise.

Lisa A. DeLouise, PhD, MPD

Engineering smart bandage bio nanomaterials for healing skin

Headshot of Angela Glading.

Angela Glading, PhD

Role of cell-cell contact in regulating cellular function in both the normal and disease state

Headshot of Marisol Herrera-Perez.

Marisol Herrera-Perez, PhD

Tissue self-organization, biophysics of cell shape and motility, morphogenesis, mechanics of development, control of cell communication

Headshot of Denise C. Hocking.

Denise C. Hocking, PhD

Regulation of cell behavior by the extracellular matrix

Headshot of Rebecca Irwin.

Rebecca Irwin, PhD

Mechanobiology, structure-function relationships, soft tissue mechanics, intravital multiphoton microscopy, regenerative therapies

Headshot of Whasil Lee.

Whasil Lee, PhD

Musculoskeletal cell mechanics, mechanosensitive ion channels, knee joint tissue development, aging, disease and repair

Headshot of Elena Lomakina.

Elena Lomakina, PhD

Cell adhesion, mechanical and thermodynamic properties of biological membranes; cellular mechanics and function of cytoskeletal proteins

Headshot of Anne Luebke.

Anne Luebke, PhD

Role of cochlear outer hair cells in hearing and hearing loss, at both the molecular and systems levels

Headshot of James L. McGrath.

James L. McGrath, PhD

Cell motility, and quantitative light microscopy

Headshot of Jong-Hoon Nam.

Jong-Hoon Nam, PhD

Biophysics of inner ear sensory cells, cell mechanics

Headshot of Anne Nichols.

Anne Nichols, PhD

Tendon mechanobiology and the cell biology of tissue adaptation

Headshot of Edward M. Schwarz.

Edward M. Schwarz, PhD

Pro-inflammatory cytokine signal transduction and novel drug and gene therapies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Headshot of Kanika Vats.

Kanika Vats

Biomedical nanotechnology, biomimetic membranes, cell-material interactions

Headshot of Richard E. Waugh.

Richard E. Waugh, PhD

Cell adhesion, mechanical and thermodynamic properties of biological membranes; cellular mechanics and function of cytoskeletal proteins

Headshot of David Wu.

David Wu, PhD

Biochemical engineering, fermentation, biocatalysis, bone marrow tissue engineering, molecular biology

Headshot of Chao Xie.

Chao Xie, PhD

Bone repair and regeneration for critical defects caused by trauma, infection, and tumors, aiming to connect translational medicine with innovative therapies for musculoskeletal diseases

Headshot of Shu-Chi Yeh.

Shu-Chi Yeh

Intravital imaging-based approaches for direct visualization, quantification, and molecular profiling of the local regulatory machineries that harbor the skeletal, hematopoietic, and malignant stem cells