The convergence of recent advances in nanotechnology with modern biology and medicine has created the new research domain of nanobiotechnology. The application of nanobiotechnology in medicine, including the development of new devices and tools, clinical approaches, and therapies, is termed nanomedicine.

Successful research and development in nanomedicine, where patients and the general public ultimately benefit from these new technologies, requires the interaction of a multitude of disciplines, including chemistry, materials science and engineering, cellular biology, pharmaceutical sciences, and clinical translational research. The need to establish focal points for multidisciplinary research to spur the development of modern functional nanosystems for use in medicine has been recognized by the scientific community and by state and federal agencies.

This is evident in the priority areas of the National Nanotechnology Initiative and the establishment of several centers focused on nanotechnology and nanomedicine across the US and elsewhere in the world. The University of Utah is in a unique position to capitalize on the ongoing research for the development of novel nanoconstructs for use in medicine, understanding their interactions with cellular and physiological barriers, and translating this research to the clinic. The Utah Center for Nanomedicine is a multidisciplinary research environment that provides expertise and fosters collaborations for the design, development, and clinical translation of nanosystems for use as therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.