Title

Cancer Technologies

Innovative approaches to detect, treat, and understand cancer.

Overview

At the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, our Cancer Technologies research area is focused on developing next-generation tools to fight cancer.

Our teams are innovating in cancer detection, minimally invasive surgery, and targeted therapies, working in close collaboration with the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Our research spans a wide array of cancers, including leukemia, breast, lung, pancreatic, ovarian, glioblastoma, head and neck, colon, and prostate cancers.

Research Focus

We are engineering new solutions to tackle cancer at every stage, from diagnosis to treatment, including:  

  • Molecular and Cellular Imaging: Developing contrast agents for precise cancer imaging
  • Nanoparticle Drug Delivery: Targeted therapies to deliver drugs directly to tumors
  • Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgery: Advanced instrumentation for precision treatment
  • Cancer Immunotherapy: Engineering immune responses and tumor environments
  • Synthetic Biology: Designing cell-based therapies for customized interventions
  • Biomarker Discovery: Creating algorithms for personalized cancer diagnostics

Application Areas

  • Early Detection Technologies: Improving outcomes through timely diagnosis
  • Minimally Invasive Treatment: Reducing surgical risk and improving recovery
  • Targeted Therapies: Enhancing effectiveness while minimizing side effects
  • Personalized Medicine: Tailoring treatment based on individual tumor profiles
  • Pediatric Cancer Innovations: Addressing unique challenges in childhood cancers
Sections
Research Facilities and Laboratories

Our research is powered by leading centers and laboratories, including:  

  • Winship Cancer Institute (WCI): Georgia’s only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center
  • Center for Immunoengineering at Georgia Tech: Driving immune-based cancer therapies
  • Cell Manufacturing Technologies (CMaT): Advancing cell-based treatment platforms
  • Marcus Center for Therapeutic Cell Characterization and Manufacturing (MC3M): Optimizing therapeutic cell production
  • Aflac Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at CHOA: Leading research in pediatric cancer
Photo of Leslie Chan and graduate student Vishal Manickam
Collaborative Partnerships

We work closely with top clinical and research partners to bring innovations to the clinic:  

  • Emory University School of Medicine: Joint research in cancer biology and treatment
  • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA): Pediatric cancer research and translation
  • Industry Collaborations: Working with biotech and pharmaceutical firms on therapy development
Photo of Leslie Chan and graduate student Vishal Manickam
Student Opportunities
  • Immunoengineering T32 Pre-Doctoral Fellowships
  • Cell & Tissue Engineering T32 Pre-Doctoral Fellowships
  • Undergraduate and Graduate Research Projects (Join faculty in hands-on cancer technology development)
Photo of Leslie Chan and graduate student Vishal Manickam

Our Faculty

Coulter BME faculty members are at the forefront of biomedical research and technology, contributing to transformative advancements in healthcare and science.
Photo of Rafael Davalos
Rafael V. Davalos
Margaret P. and John H. Weitnauer Jr. Chaired Professor
ASME, BMES, NAI & AIMBE Fellow
Photo of Jaydev P. Desai
Jaydev P. Desai
Cardiovascular Biomedical Engineering Distinguished Chair
Director, Georgia Center for Medical Robotics
Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies
Photo of Melissa Kemp
Melissa Kemp
Carol Ann and David D. Flanagan Endowed Chair in Biomedical Engineering
Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Cancer Scholar
Coulter BME logo as headshot placeholder for Hang Lu
Hang Lu
C.J. “Pete” Silas Endowed Chair and Professor
Director of the Bioengineering Interdisciplinary Graduate Program
Photo of Philip J. Santangelo
Philip J. Santangelo
Professor
Jonathan and Sheryl Layne Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Emory Vaccine Center
Winship Cancer Institute
Photo of Shuichi Takayama
Shuichi Takayama
Professor
GRA Eminent Scholar
Price Gilbert, Jr. Chair in Regenerative Engineering and Medicine
Photo of May Dongmei Wang
May Dongmei Wang
Professor
Wallace H. Coulter Distinguished Faculty Fellow
Kavli Fellow, GCC Distinguished Cancer Scholar
Photo of Younan Xia
Younan Xia
Professor
Brock Family Chair
GRA Eminent Scholar in Nanomedicine
Photo of Cheng Zhu
Cheng Zhu
Regents' Professor
J. Erskine Love Jr. Endowed Chair in Engineering
Executive Director for International Programs

Research News