Research Activities Research within our department is representative of an interdisciplinary approach to the translational science of biomedical engineering. Our research focuses primarily in three disciplines; tissue engineering/biomechanics, bioinformatics medical imaging. Tissue engineering involves research in connective tissue biomechanics, tissue repair for orthopedic applications, the study of adult mesenchymal stem cells to accelerate tendon repair, and how mechanical forces influence tendon adaptation and repair. A specific focus on disorders of the knee includes chemical cross-linking to stabilize meniscal allografts and methods to optimize placement and tensioning of graft replacements for rupture of the posterior cruciate ligament. Tissue engineering brings together researchers in biomechanics, cell and tissue engineering, materials engineering, medical imagers and BioMems as part of an interdisciplinary effort in functional tissue engineering. Medical imaging involves research in the study of the mechanical bioeffects from diagnostic ultrasound, a prominent focus on the interaction of ultrasound with tissues to lyse clots, and the development of novel acoustical based drug delivery systems. Our imaging research also focuses on the use of very high field magnetic resonance methods to study the pathophysiologic mechanisms of diseases of the central nervous system and musculoskeletal system. Medical imaging brings together researchers in ultrasound, MR physics, chemistry, engineering, neuroscience, neurology and psychiatry as part of an interdisciplinary effort. Bioinformatics involves research in computational neuroscience, computer learning, genomics, proteonomics, computational modeling and computational software development and applications to healthcare. Bioinformatics brings together researchers in computer engineering, computer science, genomics, proteonomics, neuroscience and other biological sciences as part of an interdisciplinary effort.