The Origins of Engineered Biomaterials: NSF-Funded, University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB)

The University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB) Engineering Research Center (ERC) was funded from 1996 to 2007 by the U.S. National Science Foundation. The mission of UWEB was to advance biomaterials by integrating modern biology with materials science. UWEB specifically focused on the h...

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Main Author: Buddy D. Ratner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Bioengineering
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/11/11/1117
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author Buddy D. Ratner
author_facet Buddy D. Ratner
author_sort Buddy D. Ratner
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description The University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB) Engineering Research Center (ERC) was funded from 1996 to 2007 by the U.S. National Science Foundation. The mission of UWEB was to advance biomaterials by integrating modern biology with materials science. UWEB specifically focused on the healing and integration of medical implants. UWEB teamed biologists, physicians, engineers, and industry and demonstrated three paths that might advance biomaterials so they could seamlessly integrate and heal in the body. The three primary lines of investigation were precision porous scaffolds, super-non-fouling surfaces, and the control of matricellular proteins. The UWEB program set the groundwork for the modern field of immunoengineering. Also, UWEB invested significantly in training scientists/engineers who could freely integrate advances in biological sciences, state-of-the-art materials science, and medical technology. This historical summary of the UWEB program demonstrates that federal investment in interfacing forefront fields can yield dividends with benefits for society and the economy.
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spelling doaj-art-40c7af314cbd40e38c92c9af0099b5a52024-11-26T17:51:59ZengMDPI AGBioengineering2306-53542024-11-011111111710.3390/bioengineering11111117The Origins of Engineered Biomaterials: NSF-Funded, University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB)Buddy D. Ratner0Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USAThe University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB) Engineering Research Center (ERC) was funded from 1996 to 2007 by the U.S. National Science Foundation. The mission of UWEB was to advance biomaterials by integrating modern biology with materials science. UWEB specifically focused on the healing and integration of medical implants. UWEB teamed biologists, physicians, engineers, and industry and demonstrated three paths that might advance biomaterials so they could seamlessly integrate and heal in the body. The three primary lines of investigation were precision porous scaffolds, super-non-fouling surfaces, and the control of matricellular proteins. The UWEB program set the groundwork for the modern field of immunoengineering. Also, UWEB invested significantly in training scientists/engineers who could freely integrate advances in biological sciences, state-of-the-art materials science, and medical technology. This historical summary of the UWEB program demonstrates that federal investment in interfacing forefront fields can yield dividends with benefits for society and the economy.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/11/11/1117biocompatibilityhealingengineered biomaterialsforeign body reactionengineering research center
spellingShingle Buddy D. Ratner
The Origins of Engineered Biomaterials: NSF-Funded, University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB)
Bioengineering
biocompatibility
healing
engineered biomaterials
foreign body reaction
engineering research center
title The Origins of Engineered Biomaterials: NSF-Funded, University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB)
title_full The Origins of Engineered Biomaterials: NSF-Funded, University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB)
title_fullStr The Origins of Engineered Biomaterials: NSF-Funded, University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB)
title_full_unstemmed The Origins of Engineered Biomaterials: NSF-Funded, University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB)
title_short The Origins of Engineered Biomaterials: NSF-Funded, University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB)
title_sort origins of engineered biomaterials nsf funded university of washington engineered biomaterials uweb
topic biocompatibility
healing
engineered biomaterials
foreign body reaction
engineering research center
url https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/11/11/1117
work_keys_str_mv AT buddydratner theoriginsofengineeredbiomaterialsnsffundeduniversityofwashingtonengineeredbiomaterialsuweb
AT buddydratner originsofengineeredbiomaterialsnsffundeduniversityofwashingtonengineeredbiomaterialsuweb