The mission of the Hansjorg Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering is to discover the engineering principles that nature uses to build living things, and then use that information to create devices and technologies to meet medical needs.

Mr Wyss, an engineer and entrepreneur, earned his Master of Business Administration from Harvard in 1965.

He said on Tuesday he was humbled to be able to contribute to an effort he believes will change the course of science and medicine.

The institute will bring together experts from numerous disciplines, including robotics, biology and surgery.

It will be located in a science complex being built in Boston's Allston neighbourhood. -- AP