title: Nanobiotechnology: the promise and reality of new approaches to molecular recognition.
abstract: Nanobiotechnology is the convergence of engineering and molecular biology that is leading to a new class of multifunctional devices and systems for biological and chemical analysis with better sensitivity and specificity and a higher rate of recognition. Nano-objects with important analytical applications include nanotubes, nanochannels, nanoparticles, nanopores and nanocapacitors. Here, we take a critical look at the subset of recent developments in this area relevant to molecular recognition. Potential benefits of using nano-objects (nanotubes, quantum dots, nanorods and nanoprisms) and nanodevices (nanocapacitors, nanopores and nanocantilevers) leading to an expanded range of label multiplexing are described along with potential applications in future diagnostics. We also speculate on further pathways in nanotechnology development and the emergence of order in this somewhat chaotic, yet promising, new field.
authors.affiliation: Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. paolo.fortina@jefferson.edu
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fortina
authors.forename: Larry J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Kricka
authors.forename: Saul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Surrey
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grodzinski
mesh_terms: D001709:Biotechnology / Q000639:trends*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000639:trends*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D045663:Quantum Dots
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon