Imagine using gene therapy to grow a new biological pacemaker for your heart. That’s right. No operation. No implanted device. No batteries. No electrodes.
Soon it may be possible. Researchers at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles recently injected specialized genes into pig hearts that by the second day showed biological pacemaker activity. Biomedical engineering combines technology, engineering and the practice of medicine, and now garners the attention of America’s top universities, corporate boardrooms, strategic investors and the nation’s millennial generation as they search for careers.
Biomedical engineering is dedicated to developing diagnostic and therapeutic innovations in health care. Major areas of endeavor in the field include regenerative medicine and tissue growth, electro-biology and neural engineering, novel pharmaceuticals and nano-technology. It also comprises the full range of medical devices including diagnostic imaging, implants and bionic prostheses.
Many of America’s leading universities have thrown their weight into developing cutting-edge programs: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University and University of California — both at Berkeley and San Diego. Four years ago Harvard University launched a concentration in biomedical engineering for those who plan to be practicing physicians. This is separate from its bioengineering programs for those who plan on a career in engineering. Stanford University has an impressive array of biomedical engineering initiatives such as tissue engineering for the treatment of osteoarthritis, synthetic bone materials for fixing fractures and novel drug delivery systems.
Large publicly traded companies know they must stay close to cutting-edge academic institutions and hospitals to lead in this industry space. Pfizer Inc. just announced that it will open a 280,000-square-foot research and development hub in Cambridge, Mass. (near MIT and Harvard), according to The Wall Street Journal. Pfizer plans to create a sustainable R&D engine that will yield new, innovative therapies year after year. Projects aim to improve the treatment of lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.
It comes as no surprise that biomedical engineering promises a fruitful career for any millennial with the requisite capacity and passion. Employing a balanced score card of anticipated job growth, expected pay and career satisfaction, CNNMoney recently rated biomedical engineering No. 1 among career choices.
Technically complex and profoundly effective solutions for the health care of tomorrow take a world of investment in education, research and development. They take bricks and mortar, unimaginable creativity, committed collaboration and the spirit of entrepreneurship. The pipelines are long but have the potential to pay off in spades. Biotechnology stocks are approaching earnings season with investors strongly interested in the long-term outlook for product pipelines. Because of the massive research and development costs, large-cap growth stocks are central to the sector performance. With the sense of magic that is part of this space, count on waves of irrational exuberance that drive precarious valuations and then needed adjustments from time to time. Yet, the fundamentals of the field are sound. It has good "bones."
Biomedical engineering in the hands of our millennials is sure to transform health care for the next generation. It will keep our hearts beating.
Ira “Kawika” Zunin, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., is a practicing physician. He is medical director of Manakai o Malama Integrative Healthcare Group and Rehabilitation Center and CEO of Global Advisory Services Inc. Please submit your questions to info@manakaiomalama.com.
