Biomedical engineers (also called bioengineers) use their knowledge of science and math to help solve health problems. Biomedical engineers develop materials, processes, and devices that help prevent or treat disease or rehabilitate patients. According to the Biomedical Engineering Society, the areas of specialization for biomedical engineers include biomaterials; bioinstrumentation; biomechanics; medical imaging; rehabilitation; and cellular, tissue, and genetic engineering.

Biomedical engineers who specialize in biomaterials develop materials that can be safely implanted in the body. Engineers who work in biomechanics apply principles from physics to biological systems. They develop artificial organs, such as the artificial heart. Engineers who focus on bioinstrumentation use computers or other electronic devices to diagnose or treat disease. A rehabilitation engineer helps improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Tissue and cellular engineers grow cells outside of the body to be implanted in the body and serve some function. Genetic engineering is a related discipline in which an organism’s DNA is altered so that different proteins will be produced. Genetic engineering has many applications in drug production. For more information regarding the specialties within bioengineering, please see the “Introduction to Biomedical Engineering” worksheet below.