MNTL Hilights report web Apr. 2016 | Page 11

Many MNTL faculty are leaders in the photonics and nanoelectronics areas, and are known for creating the highest speed transistors, solid-state lasers, and integration of optical components for optical fiber communications. With the new College of Medicine, these technologies will provide opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration that can include laser-based therapies, optical devices for monitoring physiological health conditions, and light sources for biomedical imaging. IN ADDITION, SEVERAL MNTL RESEARCHERS ARE ALREADY DIRECTLY ENGAGED IN DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON FUTURE MEDICAL PRACTICE. PROFESSORS RASHID BASHIR, LOGAN LIU, AND BRIAN CUNNINGHAM are working on high sensitivity biosensor technology that can be operated by miniature detection instruments for applications known as the “point of care.” These detection technologies will enable doctors to perform tests and get quick results in remote health clinics, pharmacies, and in some cases, even in the patients’ home. Currently, such tests are performed in clinical diagnostic laboratories and often take hours or days to yield results. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR KRIS KILIAN is developing innovative approaches to regenerative medicine—a new, promising area that has the potential to heal damaged \