Center for Precision Engineering for Health

Welcome to

The Center for Precision Engineering for Health

CPE4H aims to assemble a synergistic group of scientists working at the interface between engineering and medicine, with the goal of developing quantitative tools, devices, and strategies that will directly contribute to improvements in human health. These efforts will catalyze the ability to move healthcare from providing one-size-fits-all solutions to a system that can recognize the unique health needs of each individual in order to provide personalized treatment and care.

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Our Research

Areas of research in CPE4H include customizable biomaterials, active implantable MEMS devices and novel delivery mechanisms for individualized diagnostics, treatments and therapies. CPE4H focuses efforts in:

Drug Delivery

Including the development of lipid nanoparticles that can safely encapsulate mRNA and other high-value active agents, such as proteins, DNA, CRISPR enzymes and guides, and antibiotics and get them to the most appropriate site of action.

Biomimicry

Including entirely synthetic materials that are based on the design of biological cells and tissue. These materials would communicate with the body using the same principles that natural cells use to signal to one another.

Responsive Biodevices

Assemblies of biological material that are sensitive to external stimuli, such as light, heat or mechanical stress.

MEMS

Advanced microstructured materials that are hybrids of biological and non-biological materials, MEMS can be used to connect cells in circuit-like arrangements.

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Upcoming Center Events

Click the links in the calendar below to explore what events and activities are on the horizon for CPE4H.

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Recent Stories

Penn engineers turn toxic fungus into anti-cancer drug (Penn Today)

Jul 1, 2025

CPE4H faculty member, Sherry Gao, and her lab turn a deadly fungus into a potent cancer-fighting compound.

Escaping the Endosome: BEND Lipids Improve LNP mRNA Delivery and Gene Editing

Mar 24, 2025

Check out this article highlighting Mitchell Lab postdoc Marshall Padilla’s research on the design of a new class of lipids called branched endosomal disruptor (BEND) lipids that improve LNP delivery of mRNA and gene-editing tools.

Spaces That Spark Discovery: A Look Inside One uCity Square

Mar 24, 2025

Check out this article highlighting the exceptional lab space at the Center for Precision Engineering for Health located at One uCity Square!

Penn Engineering Today: Inaugural CPE4H Symposium Explores Engineering’s Role in Precision Medicine

Jan 17, 2025

On November 8, CPE4H hosted its first inaugural symposium, which showcased current innovative work from the members of the Center at Penn, and also research from scientists at The University of Washington, Duke University and Northwestern University.

Penn Today: Bioengineers on the brink of breaching blood-brain barrier

Feb 7, 2024

Researchers led by Michael Mitchell of the University of Pennsylvania are broaching the blood-brain barrier by using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver mRNA, offering new hope for treating medical conditions.

Penn Today: A suit of armor for cancer-fighting cells

Nov 6, 2023

A research team led by Michael Mitchell, associate professor in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Pennsylvania, has found a solution that could help CAR T therapies reach their full potential while minimizing severe side effects.

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The Center for Precision Engineering for Health
Scientists working at the interface between engineering and medicine!

This November, two CPE4H faculty members, Noor Mom

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Let’s Build Something Together

CPE4H is connecting and leveraging our extensive community of researchers to develop technologies that will fight future pandemics, cure incurable diseases and extend healthy life spans around the world.