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Subject offerings of new and developing areas of knowledge in bioengineering intended to augment the existing curriculum. See Class Schedule or departmental course information for topics and prerequisites. Course Information: 1 to 4 graduate hours. No professional credit. May be repeated in the same or separate terms if topics vary.

Advanced concepts of the complexity and heterogeneity of tissue microenvironments and their role in directing cell behavior and function in health and disease. Emphasis will be on comparing and contrasting the physio-chemical rate processes that govern the function of stem cell niches and solid tumor microenvironments. Topics will include: (i) Cell migration, mitosis, apoptosis, and differentiation; (ii) Cellular responsiveness to soluble and immobilized factors that mediate interactions between cells, with extracellular matrix, and growth factor communication; (iii) Biophysical and bioengineering aspects of mechanotransduction, the process through which living cells sense and respond to their mechanical environment. Students will conduct a semester-long team project for additional credit. Prerequisite: Prior coursework in and working knowledge of cellular and molecular biology.