Discovery and Technology for Human Health

PUBLISHED: 10 JANUARY 2017 | VOLUME: 1 | ARTICLE NUMBER: 0001 editorial Discovery and technology for human health

Nature Biomedical Engineering will bring the convergence of fields in the health and physical sciences into the spotlight.

Breakthrough discovery and invention inspiration from often emerge at the interface between ancient whirligigs, disciplines. As scientific research becomes Manu Prakash and ever more collaborative (R. van Noorden, colleagues designed Nature 525, 306–307; 2015), scientific a hand-held spinning and technological developments rooted disk out of paper and in interdisciplinarity are poised to string that can rival increasingly fuel human endeavour. the performance Biomedical engineering — an inherently of a standard interdisciplinary subject area that aims to (yet vastly more improve human health — indeed thrives on expensive) centrifuge the convergence of research fields. (Article 0009). For example, biomedical engineers And fluorescent working on cellular self-assembly and nanoparticles bioprinting take advantage of knowledge designed by Jinming that cuts across tissue engineering, materials Gao and colleagues science and regenerative medicine. Those Hence, clinical developments to mimic the functionality of a transistor so devising better approaches to deliver often inspire further improvements in as to light up tumours only in the presence immunotherapeutic drugs need to integrate methodology and generate hypotheses to of acidic extracellular pH will help surgeons concepts from cancer immunotherapy and be tested in the laboratory. Conversely, find tumour nodules and guide tumour nanotechnology. Researchers aiming to fundamental advances in biology, medicine, resection (Article 0006). help surgeons make informed decisions materials science, chemistry and biophysics The need to visualize molecules, cells faster and more accurately are drawing can lead to the development of technology and tissues puts imaging techniques on techniques from artificial intelligence that may eventually reach the clinic. Such centre stage in biomedical engineering and on the knowledge of the pathologist. a feedback loop has driven the advance of research. To highlight the significance For creative minds with problem-solving biomaterials and tissue engineering since of imaging, in this first issue we have skills — a typical engineering mind-set — the late 1980s, and has prompted biomedical included two Review Articles — one methods and approaches from the physical, engineers to piggyback on the recent on imaging methods in diagnostics, biological and medical sciences can offer growth of ‘omics’ fields, systems biology and therapy and surgery, and a second on a fruitful playground at junctures between synthetic biology to develop diagnostic and near-infrared imaging — that overview a neuroscience and machine/brain interfaces, therapeutic tools. Yet reaching the clinic range of imaging modalities. We have also nanotechnology and biotechnology, and is certainly not the only goal. Biomedical curated a collection of Articles, Review therapy and diagnostics. engineers will move the needle in global Articles and News & Views published in Biomedical engineering started off with health, by devising hardware, software and Nature journals in the past two years in a clinical focus. Artificial joints, magnetic methods with the appropriate trade-offs in the field of optical imaging for diagnostics resonance imaging, heart pacemakers, design and functionality necessary for the (http://www.nature.com/diagnostic-imaging). heart–lung machines and angioplasties have field and the home, especially in poor- By publishing content that traverses field prolonged the lives of patients, or improved resource settings. boundaries, at Nature Biomedical Engineering their quality of life. These major advances of This inaugural issue ofNature we aim to help build bridges between biomedical engineering rely on findings or Biomedical Engineering pays homage to bench researchers, clinicians and medical developments that stem from basic research the interdisciplinarity of the subject area engineers. This online-only journal has been in the physical sciences and in human and the ingenuity of biomedical engineers. designed to also attract the most significant biology or medicine: for example, a total The issue unveils fundamental advances developments in the full spectrum of hip replacement requires biocompatible in the fate of implanted biomaterials and research in biomedical engineering, and we ceramic materials with low wear rates; in the generation of cardiac stem cells, will strive to inspire biomedical engineers efficient magnetic resonance imaging uses methodological approaches for assessing to help solve outstanding health challenges metal nanoparticles with high relaxivity as tumour mechanopathology, and technical by disseminating the successes of the contrast agents; and pacemaker electrodes developments in image-guided surgery discipline to the wider scientific community. have to be made of materials that inhibit and in diagnostics for global health. It also To this end, we have also launched a fibrosis. Heart–lung machines are designed highlights a range of diseases and disease- free-to-access, collaborative online site to prevent clot formation, haemolysis related topics — diabetes, cancer, infectious (https://nbmecommunity.nature.com) and metabolic acidosis, and catheters for diseases, cardiology and immunology — as for our readers and authors to engage in peripheral or coronary angioplasties may well as regulatory aspects of cardiovascular enriching discussions and to contribute with soon include electrodes for measuring devices and neurocognitive considerations research news and stories. We look forward electrophysiological data. of body-augmentation technology. By taking to welcoming you. ❐