Bioengineers design new tools and devices by combining engineering and scientific principles.

Bioengineers conduct research in many fields:

• In genetics, bioengineers try to detect, prevent, and treat genetic diseases.
• Sports medicine bioengineers develop devices for athletes who are recovering from injuries.
• Industry bioengineers conduct research and create designs to improve products and technologies.

Bioengineers often work in product testing and safety to establish safety standards for medical devices.

Many bioengineers solve problems in medicine and health care. They develop products such as digital hearing aids, artificial heart valves, and pacemakers. They also design artificial joints, tissues, and organs.

Bioengineers use computers to model organs and internal systems. This allows them to see how the body would function with, or react to, a biomedical device. They use computers to perform research on new materials, devices, and procedures. Some bioengineers create computer simulations that allow doctors and medical students to practice specific surgical procedures. Others use computers to create robots that assist surgeons.

Some bioengineers design computer systems to monitor people in unusual environments. For example, some systems monitor astronauts in space. Other systems monitor underwater divers at great depths.

Bioengineers do similar work as biomedical engineers. The field of bioengineering is more diverse and includes work in areas outside of medicine such as genetics or food modification.

Bioengineers work with other scientists, doctors, and engineers. They interact with specialists in a wide range of fields outside engineering.