Multidisciplinary Graduate Curriculum on Integrative Biointerfacial Engineering

Authors

  • Prabhas V. Moghe Rutgers University
  • Charles M. Roth Rutgers University

Abstract

A wide range of biotechnological and biomedical processes and products involves the design, synthesis, and analysis of biological interfaces. Such biointerfaces mediate interactions between living cells or intracellular species and designed materials or biologics. Incorporating the experiences of a NSF-sponsored IGERT (Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship) program at Rutgers University (www.igert.rutgers.edu), this paper reviews the foundations and implementation of a graduate curriculum focused on biointerfaces. The curriculum is designed to build laterally beyond the current core curriculum of graduate engineering programs in chemical and biomolecular engineering or bioengineering, while accommodating cross-disciplinary graduate students from allied engineering programs as well as physical sciences and life sciences. The biointerfacial curriculum comprises three core courses: (1) Integrative Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, (2) Microscale and Nanoscale Biointerfacial Systems, and (3) Biointerfacial Characterization. By virtue of integrating principles based on phenomena that span multiple scales, compositions/components, and biological properties, this curriculum could impact graduate educational opportunities for researchers studying biomaterials, biomolecular science and engineering, tissue engineering, and nano-and microsystems bioengineering.

Author Biographies

Prabhas V. Moghe, Rutgers University

Prabhas V. Moghe received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Bombay and University of Minnesota, respectively. He is currently an associate professor in the Departments of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering at Rutgers University. Dr. Moghe directs the NSF-funded IGERT training program on biointerfaces (<www.igert.rutgers.edu>). His research is focused on cell-interactive biomaterials and bioactive nanosystems, with applications to vascular and skin therapies and tissue engineering.

Charles M. Roth, Rutgers University

Charles M. Roth received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and University of Delaware, respectively. He is currently an associate professor in the Departments of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering at Rutgers. Dr. Roth is one of the leading core faculty for the Rutgers IGERT on biointerfaces. His research is focused on molecular systems bioengineering, with major emphasis on nucleic acids technologies and applications to liver therapies and cancer.

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Published

2006-09-01

Issue

Vol. 40 No. 4 (2006): Fall 2006

Section

Manuscripts