This award will support a research-oriented workshop devoted to the discussion of some basic and applied topics in biomedical engineering in which mass transfer plays a predominant role. Mass transfer, either alone or in combination with other phenomena such as fluid flow and chemical reactions, constitutes an essential component of many processes occurring in the human body at the cellular, tissue, or organ level. Processes such as ion transfer through an excitable membrane, uptake of glucose across the blood-brain barrier, and the distribution of a drug in the organism contribute to the regulation of cell function, the maintenance of homeostasis, or the therapeutic action of a given substance. Similarly, mass transport processes play a key role in therapeutic extracorporeal membrane devices such as the artificial kidney. This workshop, organized by Professor Clark Colton of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Professor Hugo Massaldi of the Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiologicas (IIC) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, will bring together experienced investigators to discuss problems that have had a demonstrated impact on the biomedical community and also represent successful examples of cross-disciplinary research between engineers, physical and biological scientists and clinicians. Four specific themes will be covered in the workshop: 1) transendothelial transport and its role in atherosclerosis, 2) membrane transport in the natural and artifical kidney, 3) drug distribution in the body, and 4) cellular and biological membrane transport. In so doing, the investigators expect to: 1) exchange scientific information, 2) identify promising areas amenable to collaboration, 3) find improved ways of promoting cross-disciplinary research, and 4) establish feasible projects of mutual interest.
