Our Research | Institute for Medical Engineering & Science

IMES pioneers research and education at the nexus of science, engineering, computation and medicine.

Our world-class, interdisciplinary scientists, engineers, and clinicians are collaboratively engaged in developing new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat human disease. Our community—which spans MIT, Harvard, the Boston-area hospitals and beyond—has deep expertise in several areas, including: Biomaterials Science; Cellular and Molecular Biology and Engineering; Computational Biology and Medicine, and Clinical Informatics; Drug Delivery; Infectious Diseases and Immunology; Medical Devices; Neuroscience and Neuroengineering; Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering; and Structural and Functional Imaging.

Biomaterials Science

We seek to understand and harness the interactions between materials and biological systems (including tissues, cells, and fluids) to improve and fortify human health.

Cellular and Molecular Biology and Engineering

We study cells, their components, and their functions, with equal emphasis on applying engineering principles to design and utilize these elements to advance wellness.

Computational Biology and Medicine, and Clinical Informatics

We aggregate biological and clinical data and develop and apply new computational tools to improve patient outcomes and the delivery of care.

Drug Delivery

We design and deploy methods and systems to more effectively, controllably, and safely transport therapeutic agents to appropriate target sites within the human body for therapeutic and prophylactic applications.

Infectious Diseases and Immunology

We examine infectious disease transmission and how human exposures to vaccines and environmental stresses like microorganisms drive immune responses and influence health.

Medical Devices

We design, develop, and leverage new technologies to improve the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and monitoring of illnesses.

Neuroscience and Neuroengineering

We apply quantitative and computational approaches to understand brain function and its impact on human health, and develop strategies to repair or enhance neural systems.

Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering

We discover and advance strategies to repair, replace, and restore damaged, diseased tissues and organs— improving natural healing and engineering new biological substitutes.

Structural and Functional Imaging

We realize and utilize new experimental and computational imaging technologies to visualize human anatomy, diagnose structural abnormalities, and assess function/dysfunction—from the molecular to the human scale.

Research Thrusts

IMES is MIT’s hub for human health innovation and translational science. We are currently spearheading six collaborative thrusts to drive impact on human health and wellness.

Programs and Initiatives

The Institute for Medical Engineering & Science (IMES) collaborates with groundbreaking programs and initiatives like the Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics and MIT linQ, accelerating the translation of innovative research into impactful medical solutions globally.