Overview

Health & Medicine focuses on exemplar applications of materials relevant to the well-being of humans, non-human animals, and populations. Prevention and treatment of injuries, diseases, and disorders may be achieved with advancements of materials we currently research and develop, such as gels and scaffolds for tissue repair, but also novel materials that may, for example, incorporate biomolecules or cells to sense and respond to pathogens that come into contact with the body or immediate surroundings. Engineering biology-enabled materials may improve drug targeting and delivery or be used to detect and report biomarkers in ways only currently imagined. And engineering biology has the potential to produce materials that make diagnostics and medicines more accessible and equitable, such as through cell-free engineering.

Societal Challenges

• Eradicate existing and emerging infectious diseases.

• Address non-communicable diseases and disorders.

• Address environmental threats to health, including toxins, pollution, accidents, radiation, exposure, and injury.

• Promote equitable access to healthcare, patient representation in research, democratization of medicine, and the development of personalized medicines.