Bioengineering at Illinois

Illinois bioengineering professor Xing Wang and his team have developed programmable DNA nanoplatforms that dramatically boost the effectiveness of antiviral molecules by arranging them in virus-mimicking patterns. By “blueprinting” DNA into virus-sized frameworks, the bioengineered structures enable multivalent binding that allows antiviral nanobodies and aptamers to latch onto viruses at multiple points simultaneously. This approach increased antiviral potency by more than 100-fold against pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, HIV, and influenza, highlighting its promise as a broadly adaptable antiviral strategy. The work showcases how bioengineering at Illinois is leveraging DNA nanotechnology to create next-generation therapeutics for emerging and evolving viral threats.

Illinois bioengineering professor Jenny Amos has received a $3.5 million NSF grant to help improve the safety, security, and resilience of neural implants and other critical healthcare technologies. As part of an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional team, Amos will contribute bioengineering expertise to the co-design of resilient hardware and software systems that protect patients while supporting the safe adoption of emerging neural devices. Her role emphasizes stakeholder engagement, ensuring that patient, caregiver, and clinician perspectives shape how these technologies are developed and deployed. The project underscores the essential role of bioengineering in bridging technical innovation with real-world healthcare needs.

Each year, the Department of Bioengineering releases its Annual Highlights Report. This report details our impactful research, student achievements, departmental accolades, and other noteworthy events from the past year. We invite you to explore the progress our department has made this year and our vision for the years to come.

Bioengineering professor Holly Golecki has earned the prestigious NSF CAREER Award for her project, “Supporting Professional Formation of Robotics Engineers through a Human-Centered Design Approach.” Her five-year initiative aims to make robotics education more accessible and engaging by emphasizing real-world applications in healthcare and agriculture. Through partnerships with schools across diverse communities, Golecki’s team will develop adaptable curricula that connect engineering principles with human needs. Her recognition highlights the department’s growing leadership in engineering education research and its commitment to preparing future engineers to design with empathy, creativity, and purpose.

A team led by bioengineering professor and Dean of The Grainger College of Engineering Rashid Bashir, with lead author Hyegi Min, has created the first biohybrid robots powered by neurons activating muscle tissue mimicking natural neuromuscular function. By integrating genetically modified neurons, muscle strips, and wireless micro-LEDs, the robots crawled forward and even showed signs of learning, continuing to move after stimulation stopped. The advance extends robot lifespan and opens doors to applications in disease modeling, drug testing, and future autonomous biohybrid machines.

The student-led Mobile Bioengineering Lab, founded by senior Katie Zobus through the Biomedical Engineering Journal Club, has earned a GIANT grant from the Grainger IDEA Institute to expand its K–12 outreach. The program brings hands-on workshops in genetics, regenerative medicine, and bioengineering to middle school classrooms, helping spark early interest in STEM. With new workshops planned for 2025–26 and an additional partner school, the initiative continues to grow, making complex science accessible and inspiring the next generation of engineers.