The major benefit of nanobiotechnology is the ability to manipulate biomaterial at the nano-level, the way nature works. Nature uses very small building blocks such as DNA to build large structures such as the human body. The biological and medical communities have used the properties of nanomaterials from many applications such as contrast agents for cell imaging and therapeutics for treating cancer.

     Nanobiotechnology have been used to research and develop diagnostic sensors and “lab on a chip” techniques, which are suitable to for analyzing blood and other samples for research and development on new drugs. These devices can also aid in early detection of diseases. For example, there has been research on developing a biosensor to identify bacteriological infections in biowarfare. These sensors can also identify other bacteria.

     Diagnostic sensors have been used to detect cancers at early stages. Nanomaterials such as quantum dots, gold nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and gold nanowires that have been developed over the years have been proven to be very useful in detecting the base of cancer biomarkers. Using these nanomaterials to target cancer biomarkers such as proteins, antibody fragments, DNA fragments, and RNA fragments may lead to earlier detection of cancer and provide a much higher chance of treatment.
     Bionanotechnologies have been used by the medical field to deliver drugs to specific cells using nanoparticles. The overall drug that is consumed and the side-effects can be lowered significantly by depositing the active agent in the affected region only and in no higher dose than needed. This approach reduces cost as well as human suffering.
     There has also been extensive research on using nanobiotechnology to help reproduce and repair damaged tissue. “Tissue engineering” uses suitable nanomaterial-based scaffolds and growth factors to artificially stimulate cell proliferation. For example, bones can be regrown on carbon nanotube scaffolds. It is based on the principle that a network of cell can be grown from patients themselves or donors that will form functional tissues. Tissue engineering can someday replace today’s conventional treatments like organ transplants or artificial implants. Such advancements could extend the human life expectancy.

Applications of Nanobiotechnology