Martin Yarmush, MD, PhD

• Lecturer on Surgery (formerly the Helen Andrus Benedict Professor of Surgery and Bioengineering), Harvard-MIT Division of Health Science and Technology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School
• Founding Director, Center for Engineering in Medicine & Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital
• Senior Scientist, Shriners Children’s, Boston

Brief Biography

Professor Yarmush is the Founding Director of the Center for Engineering in Medicine & Surgery (CEMS). He is an internationally recognized expert in several areas of biotechnology and bioengineering including tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, applied immunology, biopreservation, genomics and proteomics technologies, metabolic engineering, and bioengineered microsystems and biomedical devices.

Over the last 40 years, Dr. Yarmush has published over 550 refereed journal articles, has mentored >65 graduate students and >140 postdoctoral fellows, and has taught a spectrum of courses from molecular genetics and immunology to thermodynamics and transport phenomena.

More than 70 of his former fellows have gone on to successful careers in academia both here and abroad, and many others have gone on to become leaders in the biotechnology and medical device industries. A frequent invited speaker at major conferences and institutions, and winner of over 30 local and national awards, Professor Yarmush’s investigative activities encompass both basic and applied research and have resulted in numerous patents, licenses and start-up companies. He has also served as editor of several journals, most notably the Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering (ARBME).

Dr. Yarmush is a prolific originator of innovative research ideas and projects. Many of the initiatives within CEMS were originally conceived and developed by Dr. Yarmush before being entrusted to postdoctoral fellows who subsequently joined the CEMS faculty and continued advancing those efforts.

Research Summary

The research mission of our laboratory spans an ambitious and multidisciplinary spectrum of scientific and engineering challenges in biotechnology and bioengineering. Our focus areas include—but are not limited to—tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, targeted drug delivery, metabolic engineering, BioMEMS and nanotechnology, and the development of next-generation biomedical devices.

We take pride in conducting high-impact, original research that translates into real-world industrial, diagnostic, and therapeutic solutions. A recent example is our fully automated, image-guided robotic vascular access device with point-of-care capabilities (watch demo). This technology holds immense promise for standard venipuncture, intravenous catheter placement, real-time drug infusion, and hemodialysis access—fundamentally redefining vascular procedures by combining speed, precision, and minimal human error.

Other recent and ongoing projects include:

• Development of novel fusion protein nanoparticles to accelerate and enhance wound healing
• Tissue- and organ-on-a-chip systems for drug screening and disease modeling
• Microfabricated devices to boost non-viral gene delivery, including CAR-T cell applications
• Pulsed electric field techniques to promote scarless wound healing, eradicate infections, rejuvenate skin, and stimulate hair regeneration
• Encapsulation and delivery of mesenchymal stem cells for therapeutic use in spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and osteoarthritis
• Mitochondrial transplantation as a pioneering strategy to restore cellular energetics in inflammatory diseases such as IBD, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury

To tackle these complex challenges, we leverage a wide array of state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies, including:

• Genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and genetic engineering
• Cell biology and stem cell-based tissue engineering
• Physical biochemistry and advanced molecular imaging
• Micro- and nanofabrication
• Physiologic instrumentation and in vivo animal models
• Computational modeling and numerical simulation

At the heart of our approach is a seamless integration of engineering, medicine, and life sciences. We thrive on collaborative partnerships that span academic departments, institutions, and continents. Our trainees are immersed in a culture that demands intellectual rigor, rewards curiosity, and encourages independent thinking. Whether in small group discussions or during our larger research thrust group meetings, students and postdocs are taught to question assumptions, articulate the significance of their work, and take ownership of their scientific journey.

A defining feature of our lab philosophy is intellectual ownership. Each member is encouraged to chart their own path—selecting projects that genuinely align with their passions and long-term goals. Thanks to my broad academic and professional background, I can mentor across a wide range of fields and continuously generate fresh, original project ideas that defy convention. We strive to avoid derivative, “me-too” science; our goal is to lead, not follow. As I often tell prospective students and fellows: you will receive the best of a Harvard-MIT caliber research experience—without the institutional pathology.

Another hallmark of our lab is our strong track record in translation and commercialization. Our research has led to licensed patents and directly enabled the formation and growth of several startups, including Hµrel Corporation, Sentien Biotechnologies, Nivarta, eMembrane, HeproTech, VascuLogic, Novira (originally Molecmo Biotechnologies), and Organ Solutions. A particularly notable example is Novira Therapeutics, which originated from our work on RNA virus therapeutics and was acquired by Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) in 2015 for $600 million to advance a first-in-class therapy for chronic hepatitis B infection. Another highlight is our pioneering autonomous, image-guided robotic system for vascular access—integrating advanced biomedical imaging, computer vision, robotics, artificial intelligence, and automation. This first-of-its-kind system enables rapid, precise, and efficient blood draws, fluid delivery, catheter placement, and hemodialysis, representing a transformative leap forward in clinical practice.

Ultimately, what truly sets our lab apart is our culture. We are joyous, enthusiastic, and deeply grateful for the opportunity to do meaningful science together. We believe the research journey should not only be productive but also personally fulfilling. Our lab is not just a place to work—it is a place to grow, to explore, and to have fun.

Education

• BA, Biology/Chemistry, Yeshiva U, 1975
• PhD, Biophysical Chemistry, Rockefeller University, 1979
• MD, Medicine, Yale University, 1983
• PhD Studies, Chemical Engineering, MIT, 1984
• Postdoc Immunology, NIH, 1978-1979

Research Thrusts

• Biopreservation
• Burns Trauma and Wound Healing
• Cell Migration in Disease
• Cell Sorting and Cancer Diagnosis
• Global Health
• BioMEMs and Nanoscale Engineering
• Neuroscience and Behavior
• Organ Reengineering
• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
• Cell and Genetic Engineering

Publications