Biodesign scientists have created a therapy against the Ebola virus, discovered an early diagnostic for breast cancer and provided data that brought potentially harmful chemicals in personal-care products to light.
These are just a handful of ways our research is leading to discoveries and inventions that answer today’s challenges. As the premier scientific research institute in the nation’s fastest-growing research university, Biodesign’s impact is accelerating. We invite you to explore highlights of our accomplishments and join us in designing a better future.
Biodesign’s impact is evidenced in three key areas: capturing significant external funding to generate research output, attracting premier scientific talent and high-wage jobs to Arizona, and spurring innovation that produces economic growth.
$2.9 billion
$2.9B AZ annual direct impact
$760 million
$760M in external funding
$24.1 million
Generates $24.1M annual tax revenues
Impactful approach
Our university was the first in the United States to create an interdisciplinary research institute entirely devoted to overcoming complex societal issues by emulating the design rules and trial-and-error approach found in nature.
This includes an entrepreneurial research culture that is attractive to scientists capable of working across disciplines, as well as close cooperation with industry to translate discoveries into commercially viable products and clinical practices.
ASU’s efforts are part of a larger statewide initiative, Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap, to build a robust bioscience economy in Arizona.
What is our research focus?
We are addressing an expansive array of global challenges, including new vaccine discovery and delivery; early detection and treatment of cancer and infectious diseases; techniques for detecting and removing contaminants from air and water; and the application of nanotechnology for biomedicine and electronics.
Our newest centers are exploring the human microbiome and sustainable materials manufacturing. As our research teams multiply, so do our research capabilities and impact.
Students are integral to our success
In fact, we employ hundreds of graduate and undergraduate students. We provide them opportunities to work alongside our world-renowned scientists and their teams.
Although Biodesign is part of ASU, we do not offer classroom experiences. Instead, we engage students in actual ongoing scientific discovery. Cross-disciplinary teams in an open-lab environment provide the structure for an invigorating hands-on way to train future scientists. We provide them with the experience they’ll need to one day take our place.
What has been our impact
so far?
Our top scientists from around the world collaborate across disciplines to discover nature-inspired solutions that advance human health, community safety and global sustainability.
Biodesign’s impact is evidenced in three key areas: capturing significant external funding to generate research output, attracting premier scientific talent and high-wage jobs to Arizona, and spurring innovation that produces economic growth.
Explore our discoveries
Our scientifically diverse teams are remarkably successful in securing funding for their research from government and industry partners. See how in this timeline of impact.
Make an impact
Your support enables hundreds of experts — biologists, physicists, chemists, engineers, mathematicians — to solve some of the world’s most urgent problems in health care, sustainability, security and more