Research

Knight Campus Research Programs

The Knight Campus is developing a hub where innovative research and discovery will thrive – driving business in Oregon. As we grow into our research facilities, we aim to have 30 teams of scientists and researchers, accompanied by 550 students who will be involved in the research cycle, gaining unique experience. This means the Knight Campus will be not only driving groundbreaking scientific research, but preparing a new generation of innovative scientists who will define our future. The collaborative scientific research done at the Knight Campus will break down barriers and accelerate the advancement of science to improve the human condition and benefit the world.

Research centers

The Center for Translational Biomedical Research

The Center for Translational Biomedical Research, a partnership between PeaceHealth and the University of Oregon’s Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, aims to forge biomedical research collaborations that produce increased research grant funding, journal publications and translation of new medical technologies.

The Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance at Oregon

The Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance at Oregon is based in the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact. The University of Oregon is one of six institutions launching the alliance that promotes wellness and peak performance through scientific discovery and innovation.

The Center for Biomedical Data Science

The Center for Biomedical Data Science (CBDS) is an innovative joint research center dedicated to using advanced data science tools and approaches to explore normal and abnormal biological states at cell, tissue, organ, organismal and population levels. Our hope is to prevent and cure diseases earlier, faster, and better. Supported by lead gifts from Tim and Mary Boyle of $10 million to each institution, the center is a joint effort of the University of Oregon (UO) and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) that integrates world class expertise at both UO’s Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact and OHSU’s Knight Cancer Institute.

Knight Campus Research Focus Areas

Biomaterials: Functional Materials for Life

We work at the interface of materials chemistry and biomedical engineering. We determine what is missing from the engineer’s toolbox and design new functional materials, 3-D structures, tools and devices that address key challenges in the clinic.

Medical Sensors and Devices

We push the envelope of implantable and wearable medical sensors and devices to change the ways we study and treat diseases and injuries, by tapping advances in materials and data science, as well as device architecture.

Protein Engineering and Synthetic Biology

We develop new bio-inspired methods to build biological parts (proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids) and systems with designed properties and predictable behaviors. We repurpose biological cells as factories allowing simple large-scale low-cost manufacturing of complex macromolecules.

Neural Engineering

We develop novel implantable interfaces to the brain and peripheral nervous system to advance fundamental science and improve human lives through therapeutic neuromodulation.

Biomedical Artificial Intelligence

We develop models of complex biological systems using carefully curated datasets and the latest advances in machine learning. These AI systems are trained to make automated, repeatable, data-driven decisions, which ultimately leads to better patient outcomes.

Regenerative Rehabilitation and Human Performance

We develop and integrate engineered technologies to measure, model, regenerate and enhance the performance of tissue systems. The overall goal of this focus area is to improve human performance throughout all aspects of life, from young to old, healthy to injured and novice to elite.

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