Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering

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== Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering ==

The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering is a cross-disciplinary research institute at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. The institute was founded in 2009 with a mission to develop biologically inspired materials and devices that can transform medicine and create a more sustainable world.

History

The Wyss Institute was established with a $125 million donation from Hansjörg Wyss, a Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist. The institute brings together researchers from various fields, including biology, engineering, chemistry, and computer science, to collaborate on innovative projects.

Research Areas

The Wyss Institute focuses on several key research areas:

• **Bioinspired Robotics**: Developing robots that mimic the movements and functions of living organisms.
• **Synthetic Biology**: Engineering biological systems for new functions and applications.
• **Biomaterials**: Creating materials that replicate the properties of natural substances.
• **Living Cellular Devices**: Designing devices that incorporate living cells to perform specific tasks.
• **Organs-on-Chips**: Developing microfluidic devices that simulate the functions of human organs for drug testing and disease modeling.

Notable Projects

• **Organs-on-Chips**: These microfluidic devices replicate the microarchitecture and functions of living human organs, providing a more accurate model for drug testing and disease research.
• **Soft Robotics**: The development of soft, flexible robots that can safely interact with humans and adapt to complex environments.
• **Molecular Robotics**: Creating nanoscale robots that can perform precise tasks at the molecular level.

Collaborations

The Wyss Institute collaborates with various academic institutions, industry partners, and government agencies to advance its research and bring innovations to market. Some of its notable collaborators include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston University, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Facilities

The institute is housed in the Center for Life Sciences building in Boston, which provides state-of-the-art laboratories and collaborative spaces for researchers.

Leadership

The Wyss Institute is led by a team of distinguished scientists and engineers. The founding director is Donald Ingber, a pioneer in the field of biologically inspired engineering.

See Also

• Harvard University
• Synthetic Biology
• Biomaterials
• Organs-on-Chips
• Soft Robotics
• Molecular Robotics

External Links

• [Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering]