The vision of the Biomimetic MicroElectronic Systems Engineering Research Center (BMES ERC) is to develop the science and engineering of novel biomimetic microelectronic systems based on fundamental principles of biology.  The newly developed systems will allow high-density interface for communication with human cells and tissues and, by doing so, enable implantable/portable microelectronic devices to treat presently incurable diseases such as blindness and central nervous system disorders.

Our ERC vision is realized first by identifying the unmet medical needs of blindness and central nervous system cognitive impairments. The solutions to these unmet needs are then developed by designing and synthesizing engineered system specifications from medical, scientific, and engineering disciplines.  Furthermore, to develop these novel biomimetic microelectronic systems, our BMES ERC’s work  is concentrated in three thrust areas of enabling technology that are at the heart of immediate and long-term interest to the rapidly growing medical device industry.  The 3 thrust areas are 1) mixed-signal systems on a chip, 2) power and data management, and 3) interface technology (electrode/electronic packaging technologies as well as abiotic-biotic interfaces with the plasma membrane).

The broader impact to society will come not only from alleviating human suffering and improving quality of life, but also by reducing the health care costs now directed to assist people with disabilities. Even if only 20,000 blind patients were helped over a 20-year period, an estimated 4 billion US federal dollars would be saved. Similarly, cortical prostheses that even partially restore cognitive function lost due to brain trauma and dementia could reduce the disabilities of hundreds of thousands. When combined with the potential of this closed-loop approach improving other neuromodulation devices, the cost savings exceed $6 billion

Last Modified: 03/23/2016
Modified by: Mark S Humayun