Nanotechnology: R&D challenges and opportunities for application in biotechnology

Physical methods of observing and manipulating individual molecules will prove useful, not only as research tools for investigating biomolecular structure and behaviour, but also for the creation of nanostructures through microelectronics, self-assembly and template-directed assembly. Nanostructures can also be used as nanoscale bioreactors for synthesizing or tailoring molecules, and it is becoming possible to follow and drive biochemical reactions at the molecular level. Nanobiotechnology is likely to become a growth area for research and development over the next few years, with the commercial development of new analytical devices and preparative bioreactors.