Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, 2475 Hanover Street, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA Tel: +1 650 233 4652 Fax: +1 650 233 4545 E-mail: tthomas@pillsburywinthrop.com

Received 12 August 2005.

Abstract

Nanotechnology offers a promise to revolutionise the life sciences because it equips biologists with tools and materials that can interact directly with the biomolecules that they study on a daily basis. Both biotechnology and nanotechnology have matured to the point that their convergence offers opportunities for novel solutions to unmet needs in biology. This paper explores the developments that have led to this convergence.