BMTEC Awarded Over $32 Million in Federal Funding for Breakthrough Biomedical Research
February 4, 2026 - IEM’s Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Center (BMTEC), a center dedicated to improving biomaterials, bioprinting, cell and developmental biology, and medical research through clinical application, recently secured major federal funding. The funding includes $26 million from an ARPA-H award, a $3.1 million NIH R01 for 3D-printed nerve conduits in pediatric repair, and a $3M NIH grant for noninvasive muscle imaging. These new funding opportunities will allow for BMTEC researchers to explore and further develop current bioprinting technologies targeted to individuals’ medical problems.
The most recent funding came from ARPA-H, which was awarded to Shaochen Chen, Professor of Nanoengineering and Co-Director BMTEC, who was recognized for his research proposal aimed to combat liver failure. Liver failure claims thousands of lives each year, yet there is currently not a consensus on how to address it in a swift and impactful manner. Professor Chen proposed a multidisciplinary plan to bring together UC San Diego researchers in engineering, liver biology, liver imaging, liver surgery and artificial intelligence. Together, they will develop a new 3D bio-printer that will develop made-to-order livers, personalized to an individual’s body and physical needs. If this project is successful, this could eliminate liver transplants and reduce the amount of immunosuppressant drugs.
BMTEC researchers also received $3.1 million from National Heart Lung and Blood Institute with the goal of advancing treatment for tetralogy of Fallot, one of the most common pediatric heart diseases. Through the Cardiac Atlas Project, BMTEC researchers including IEM’s Director, Andrew McCulloch, have been applying machine learning and computational modeling to cardiac MRI data and clinical measurements from 1,500 pediatric and young adult patients for over five years. These tools aim to identify early biomarkers and predictors of long-term health issues, such as heart failure and rhythm disorders, following childhood surgeries. Our researchers are still seeking to give cardiologists more precise, data-driven guidance for managing patients to improve survival and quality of life.
Together, these federal awards and grants allow BMTEC’s researchers to further their projects, bridging the world of medicine with technological innovation. The research being done at The Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Center establishes its position as a national leader in translating foundational science into real-world medical solutions. BMTEC is uniquely positioned to combine expertise across biomaterials, bioprinting, cell and developmental biology, and medical research allowing for cross-collaboration between Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Health Sciences to address a wide range of clinical challenges. From personalized bioprinted organs to data-driven advances in pediatric heart care, BMTEC’s multidisciplinary approach exemplifies how collaborative innovation at the Institute of Engineering in Medicine can accelerate the development of modern research into revolutionary medical care.
Written by Brandon Covas
