At a nano conference at the Huntsman Cancer Institute on Thursday evening, University of Utah officials announced the launch of the Nano Institute of Utah, led by cutting-edge scientists recently recruited under the Utah Science, Technology and Research initiative (USTAR).
"Nanotechnology is one of the hot areas which has promise to improve life in areas ranging from medicine to energy," said Rich Brown, dean of the College of Engineering. "The University of Utah has been involved for years and the establishment of this institute underscores our commitment to it. We expect it will have positive effects on the state's economy."
Nanoscience merges chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, medicine and pharmacy in studying structures as small as a nano, or one-billionth of a meter. Between 1,000 and 2,000 atoms are contained in a cubic nanometer.
"Cut your hair by a thousandth. That's the scale we're talking about," said institute co-director Hamid Ghandehari, a professor of pharmaceutical chemistry and bioengineering who leads USTAR's medical device innovation team and the U.'s new Center for Nanomedicine.
Synthesizing and manipulating materials on such a minute scale is revolutionizing how diseases are diagnosed and treated. Ghandehari's work uses nanotechnology to target the delivery of anti-cancer drugs and other therapies, thereby minimizing toxic side effects while increasing effectiveness. The new institute's co-director, U. chemist Marc Porter, leads USTAR's nanotechnology biosensor team, whose discoveries could advance diagnostics, fuel cells, nanoelectronic devices, chemical interaction databases and tissue replacement.
His nanotech work fabricates gold particles into various shapes, typically rods, for holding antibodies, which can be used for detecting pathogens. He emphasized the institute builds on Utah's rich history in nanoscience by formalizing and strengthening interdisciplinary partnerships already in place.
"By establishing the institute, we begin bringing together the pieces and players to take nanoscience in Utah from the scientist's bench to commercialization and beyond, where innovation begins affecting peoples' lives," Porter said.
bmaffly@sltrib.com
