Sensors and sensing systems — from devices that count white blood cells to technologies that monitor muscle coordination during rehabilitation — can positively impact medical research, scientists said at the 2021 SENSE.nano Symposium.
The virtual event focused on how sensing technologies are enabling current medical studies and aiding translation of their findings to improve human health. Featuring leaders from research and industry, MIT-launched startup companies, and graduate students, the event was the fifth annual meeting organized by SENSE.nano.
“In this era of big data, sensors are everywhere — in our homes and vehicles, medical devices, phones, and even clothing,” says MIT.nano Director Vladimir Bulović. “This year’s symposium was an exploration of how this breadth of new sensors and new sensing techniques will propel the standards of current medical work, bringing forward new clinical practice and better health for all.”
The SENSE.nano 2021 speakers discussed a range of technologies under the research themes of human motion studies, physiological monitoring, imaging at multiple scales, and devices and strategies for collecting specimens and performing biopsies. Presenters described novel research methods — such as drawing inspiration from dancers’ movement to study how muscles represent rhythm — and novel applications such as neural interface wearables to help humans better interact with robots and other electronic systems.
The symposium also celebrated the re-opening of the MIT Center for Clinical and Translational Research (CCTR, formerly the MIT Research Clinical Center). Along with remodeled health labs for research participants, the CCTR features a prototype workshop, motion capture lab, and observation and instrumentation suites for MIT and visiting human health researchers.
“SENSE.nano 2021 brought together nanoscience, nanotechnology, and the practice of medicine through our shared and central facilities — MIT.nano and the new CCTR,” says Brian Anthony, the associate director of MIT.nano and principal research scientist in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. “MIT.nano has the tools to support fabrication and design of sensors, and the CCTR has the clinical research space to study how these sensors can support medical practice.”
