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Mechanical Engineering Home > Research: Faculty: Bischof

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John C. Bischof
Distinguished McKnight University Professo
r
Email: bischof@umn.edu
Telephone: (612) 625-5513

Ph.D., 1992, Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

M.S., 1989, Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco (Joint Program)

B.S., 1987, Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley

The bioheat and mass transfer laboratory (BHMT) at the University of Minnesota is dedicated to the study of thermophysical and biological changes within biomaterials after thermal manipulations (i.e. heating or cooling). This work is broadly in the scientific field of thermal biology including cryobiology (low temperature biology) and hyperthermic biology, with particular focus in the following application areas:

•Thermal Therapies (TT) - destruction of diseased (i.e. tumor) tissue by the use of
energy sources (and sinks) such as: Cryosurgery, Microwave, Radiofrequency (RF),
High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) and Laser.

•Thermal Therapy (TT) Enhancement - Nanoparticle drug delivery (TT adjuvant)
and heating by various electromagnetic and optical sources.

• Cryo and Biopreservation - preservation of cells and tissues by freezing, hypothermic
storage, drying or vitrification (glass formation).

•Burn injury - characterization of burn injury in tissues.

The latest area of emphasis in the BHMT lab focuses on the use of iron oxide and gold nanoparticles to enhance thermal therapies. For example, iron oxide can be used for detection and heating of cancer. In addition, gold nanoparticles can be used to deliver drugs or neo-adjuvants and to heat cancer locally by their excitation due to electro-magnetic and optical sources. Basic investigations of nanoparticle biodistribution and heating at the cellular and tissue level based on nanoparticle type, coating, size, and charge are currently underway. In brief the lab focuses on basic aspects of thermal injury and applied work in the characterization and development of devices for preservation and destruction of cells and tissue using heat or cold.

For specific research see my Research Statement. (pdf)

Abbreviated CV (pdf)

Publications:

Bioheat and Mass Transfer Lab

Biotransport Center

Cell Injury Lab. / MnCTS Thermal Therapy Interest Group

Current and Past Lab Members

 

 
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