Nanotechnology refers to atomic,molecular,and macromolecular scale research and development that leads to the controlled manipulation and study of structures and devices with length scales ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers.Objects at this scale,such as"nanoparticles,"have unique features and functions that are not found at the bulk scale.Nanoparticles'small size,surface tailorability,increased solubility,and multifunctionality provide biologists with a plethora of new study opportunities.Nanomaterials'unique features allow them to engage with complicated biological functions in unprecedented ways,acting at the size of biomolecules.This article gives a biologist's perspective on nanotechnology and discusses"nanotech"tactics and constructions that have already shown success in vitro and in vivo.
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