Which Emerging Technologies Are Poised to Impact Biomedical Engineering Significantly?
BiomedicalEngineering.io
Which Emerging Technologies Are Poised to Impact Biomedical Engineering Significantly?
Exploring the frontier of biomedical engineering, we've gathered insights from industry experts to uncover the emerging technologies set to revolutionize the field. From the potential of AI to revolutionize protein engineering to the collaborative integration that advances biomedical testing, here are the top four predictions from a Host to a President on the technologies that will shape the future of biomedical engineering.
- AI Revolutionizes Protein Engineering
- Quantum Computing Enhances Biomedical Analysis
- Bioprinting Transforms Personalized Medicine
- Collaborative Integration Advances Biomedical Testing
AI Revolutionizes Protein Engineering
Protein Engineering, aided by AI technologies, is an emerging biomedical technology that will have transformative effects not only on the pharmaceutical industry but also on other industries that use protein-based materials. Several recent discoveries and advances are particularly notable: long-chain amino acid manufacturing, AI-based protein design, and the design of enzymes and proteins previously unseen in nature.
Today, biological engineers are starting to be able to design amino acid chains based on requirements and specifications, and manufacture them at scale with consistent quality. This is revolutionary because proteins are extremely complex structures that, in the past, required significant study and wet-lab experiments to modify. Nearly 95% of drug targets are proteins, and already around 25% of drugs are themselves proteins. Enzymes, which are biological catalysts, are also proteins. Being able to design and build custom proteins quickly could make new drug development much cheaper, including personalized drug development for the treatment of rare diseases or cancers. Proteins could also be designed to participate in reactions like an enzyme—for example, to break down waste products into useful products.
This is an exciting area of engineering, the full potential of which is difficult to imagine. I believe the impact will be akin to the discovery and development of plastics in terms of how many industries it will affect and the variety of applications of this technology that will be discovered.
Quantum Computing Enhances Biomedical Analysis
Quantum computing has the potential to accelerate computation in biomedical engineering. Based on principles of quantum mechanics, quantum computing can perform complex calculations more efficiently than traditional computers. In problems with high computational complexity, we could see the application of quantum computing to solve complex issues.
For example, the simulation of interactions between molecules, analysis of large-scale genomics, understanding protein folding and misfolding, systems biology network analysis, complex biological pathways, and drug discovery by predicting behavior are all areas with significant potential for quantum to be a great benefit. By leveraging quantum algorithms, we could conduct faster searches in vast genomic data, tackle complex optimization problems in protein folding, gain a deeper understanding of molecular properties and reactions, and map systems more easily.
Bioprinting Transforms Personalized Medicine
Bioprinting is on the brink of revolutionizing biomedical engineering, and I've seen firsthand how transformative it can be in my work at the intersection of medical sales and cutting-edge technology. Having spent years representing innovative medical devices and treatments, I've witnessed the industry's challenges in keeping up with the rising demand for organ transplants and the growing need for more precise drug development.
Bioprinting addresses these pain points directly. Imagine a future where we're not limited by donor availability, and instead, we can bioprint patient-specific organs on demand, minimizing rejection risks and improving recovery times. This isn't just speculation \'97 it's the natural progression of where we're headed. I recently spoke with a team developing advanced sensor technologies for wearable devices, and their excitement about combining these advancements with bioprinting was palpable. Such integration could lead to real-time monitoring and adjustments of bioprinted tissues post-implantation, enhancing patient outcomes.
For professionals in the biomedical field, now is the time to lean into these innovations. Whether you're in R&D, clinical settings, or even sales, understanding and advocating for the integration of bioprinting technology could position you as a leader in the next wave of personalized medicine. Keep an eye on how AI and robotics are being integrated into bioprinting processes, as these advancements will further enhance precision and efficiency, opening new frontiers in regenerative medicine. Those who stay ahead of the curve and embrace these technologies will be the ones leading the charge in transforming healthcare delivery.
Collaborative Integration Advances Biomedical Testing
As test equipment continues to advance, the willingness of medical equipment manufacturers and biomedical test equipment manufacturers to work together to integrate their respective software will greatly increase the accuracy of diagnosing and certifying equipment, as well as reduce the amount of time it takes to do so. Fluke has done a phenomenal job in doing so with their IDA infusion testers. It is not necessarily one manufacturer or technology, but the partnerships that continue to expand that will greatly impact biomedical engineering.
