nanobiotechnology

Nanobiotechnology is an interdisciplinary field that merges nanotechnology and biology to study and engineer systems at the nanoscale for biological applications. It encompasses the use of nanoscale materials, devices, and processes to interact with living organisms and biomolecules, as well as the application of biological principles to create nanoscale technologies. The field typically focuses on scales from 1 to 100 nanometers.

Common approaches include the synthesis and functionalization of nanoparticles, nanostructured materials, and nanoelectronic devices. Techniques from molecular biology, biochemistry, and materials science enable construction of biosensors, diagnostic tools, and targeted drug delivery systems. Methods such as DNA origami, protein engineering, and nanoscale imaging with electron or atomic force microscopy allow visualization and manipulation at the molecular level.

Applications span medicine, where nanocarriers enable controlled drug release and enhanced imaging; diagnostics and environmental sensing; and agriculture and energy, where biohybrid nanomaterials can improve efficiency. In research, nanobiotechnology provides platforms for studying biological processes with high sensitivity and for developing platforms for high-throughput screening, personalized medicine, and regenerative therapies.

Historically, nanobiotechnology emerged from advances in biotechnology and nanoscience in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Challenges include safety and environmental impact, regulatory oversight, manufacturability at scale, reproducibility, and ethical considerations surrounding data privacy and dual-use research.