Introduction to special section on grand challenges in engineering life sciences and medicine

The purpose of this Special Section on Grand Challenges in Engineering Life Sciences and Medicine is to review and discuss challenges and opportunities in the interface of engineering with life sciences and medicine. The special section presents the challenges and trends in the following areas: 1) education and training in biomedical engineering; 2) engineering the brain and nervous system; 3) engineering the cardiovascular system; 4) engineering approaches for cancer management; and 5) emerging engineering technologies in life sciences and medicine. Nearly 100 manuscripts were submitted in response to our Call for Papers. After an initial screening and peer review, 18 papers were selected for inclusion in the Special Section. The guest editor provides a summary of the articles included in the special issue.