Although hypotheses have been advanced, the molecular mechanism of biological motion, including the contraction of muscle, remains uncertain. The problem is approached in a hybrid environment by applying the principles of engineering and biology. We are driven on the one hand by curiosity to understand the transduction mechanism, and, on the other, by the need to develop specialized instrumentation to probe the mechanism. The preparations we employ are micron-sized, small enough to allow us to monitor the dynamics of individual motor molecules. Gels and Mucus .
Life takes place in a polymer gel phase that operates at nanoscale dimensions.
In this environment, cell functions have evolved through millions of years of optimization. The application of polymer gel theory has fueled a remarkable progress in the understanding of fundamental cellular processes, including secretion, contraction, signal transduction etc. The application and validation of these principles have the potential not only to advance the understanding of cell biology, but also to allow the development of systems that mimic what nature has learned through selection and evolution. Career Opportunities Students and postdocs trained in the Molecular Bioengineering program have found great success in a wide variety of academic careers and industry careers that range across the bioengineering, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, and biomaterials fields. Some examples include Dr. Ashutosh Chilkoti, faculty at Duke University in Biomedical Engineering, Dr. Zhongli Ding, Alza corporation, Dr. Sandy Koppenol, Icos Corporation.