The Pritzker Institute of Biomedical Science and Engineering is an umbrella organization that enhances the biomedical science and engineering research activities on the IIT campus. Pritzker develops and coordinates relationships and programs with traditional science and engineering departments within IIT, as well as outside institutions, especially, Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago.

In 1982 The Pritzker Institute was established with an endowment from Bob Pritzker. Beginning as a primarily research-oriented organization, the Institute was directed by Dr. Robert Arzbaecher and focused its research activities in the areas of electrophysiology and rehabilitative medicine. In 2001 Dr. Vincent Turitto took over as Director and began to expand IIT's involvement in biomedical research. A Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) was created in 2002, including both a graduate and an undergraduate program.

Eventually leadership, space and rescouces of the Institute will be separated from the BME Department. The academic role will remain within BME and research activities will be within BME or the Institute, depending on their focus. In general, the focus of the Institute will be primarily extra-departmental and will revolve around the Centers that have been established in the Institute.

Three Centers currently operate within the Pritzker Institute. The Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Neuroengineering research (CINNR), the Engineering Center for Diabetes Research and Education (ECDRE), and the Medical Imaging Research Center (MIRC).

CINNR, directed by Dr. Philip Ulinski, is a joint venture with the University of Chicago and involves over 40 faculty from both institutions with interests in neuroscience, Neuroengineering, computer science, imaging, and various medical disciplines related to the brain and its sensory organs.

ECDRE is the first engineering center devoted to the treatment and cure of diabetes. The Center is formally situated at IIT with faculty from the BME, MMAE, and CHEE departments. ECDRE collaborates with faculty, medical investigators and clinicians at the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory.

MIRC resides within IIT, primarily staffed by faculty from the BME and ECE departments and directed by Dr. Miles Wernick. It has numerous linkages with medical centers, including the University of Chicago.