What is the difference between Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology?

Hello Kaitlin! That is a very commonly asked question. Biomedical Engineering can be considered to be a specialization under Biotechnology. While biotechnology broadly refers to the use to technology in addressing biological problems, biomedical engineering specifically deals with using engineering principles for investigating/modifying medical aspects.

I will give you an example. Let's say protein X is present in cancer cells, but absent/minimal in normal cells. Development of fluorescent antibodies for a protein X (to visualize it under a microscope) can be considered biotechnology. If you are using the same fluorescent antibodies to understand the mechanism of how that particular cancer propagates throughout the body, that would be considered Biomedical research. If you are using engineering tools like microfluidics and mimicking certain physiological conditions, and then assessing how those contribute to the cell stiffness, that would fall under biomedical engineering.

I hope I have been able to provide some clarity! Please keep in mind, sometimes they are used interchangeably, given the extremely interdisciplinary nature of these type of research. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!