About Duke CBTE

The Duke Center for Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering (CBTE) is an interdisciplinary center for training and research.

Our Mandate

Duke CBTE is one of Duke University's most comprehensive efforts in biotechnology.

The mandate of Duke CBTE is to nucleate interdisciplinary research and educational activities that link three broad areas of biotechnology:

  • Biomolecular engineering
  • Cellular engineering
  • Tissue engineering

Research With Impact

Biomolecular Engineering

Biomolecular engineering at Duke CBTE concerns the design of proteins, oligopeptides, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules that elicit specific ligand-receptor interactions, or that can be used to develop targeted drug therapies.

Cellular Engineering

Cellular engineering in the center concerns the regulation of the external and internal environment of cells for promoting specific expression of biomolecules, improving drug and gene delivery, or facilitating tissue engineering.

Tissue Engineering

The purpose of tissue engineering at Duke CBTE is two-fold:

  • The design or modification of matrices that promote or inhibit specific interactions with proteins, cells, and tissues, and
  • The production of ordered ensembles of cells for tissue replacement, disease modeling, or drug screening

Linked Efforts

Biomolecular, cellular and tissue engineering are, themselves, intimately linked, and many CBTE research activities encompass all three.

For example, cells condition surfaces through secretion of extracellular matrix proteins; ligand binding to receptors at membrane surfaces regulates cell activity; and preconditioning of surfaces with proteins and other biomolecules mediates cell function.

Our Interdisciplinary Faculty

Although centered in the Duke University Pratt School of Engineering, CBTE faculty members work in the Duke University Medical Center, or have primary or secondary appointments in at least one of these degree-granting academic departments, centers, groups, and/or training programs:

  • Biochemistry
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biostatistics & Bioinformatics
  • Cell Biology
  • Cell & Molecular Biology Training Program
  • Chemistry
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Computational Biology & Bioinformatics Training Program
  • Developmental & Stem Cell Biology Program
  • Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
  • Medicine
  • Molecular Cancer Biology Training Program
  • Ophthalmology
  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Pathology Training Program
  • Pharmacology & Cancer Biology
  • Pharmacological Sciences Training Program
  • Radiation Oncology
  • Surgery
  • University Program in Genetics & Genomics

Meet Our Faculty