Nanobiotechnology meets medical technology: prospects and demands

Nanobiotechnology bridges the technological gaps between physics, chemistry and biology on the nanoscale. This leads to many innovative approaches which result in new methods and products for both, technological and medical-pharmaceutical applications. This paper discusses the following question how can nanobiotechnology contribute to and combined with medical technology. Bioactive, biocompatible and functionalised surfaces are important for the further development of many applied medical systems like bone implants, stents and also membranes for apheresis. Furthermore nanoparticles are good candidates for establishing new therapeutic applications. They are considered and some are already applied as drug delivery systems and contrast agents. It is argued that coated nanoparticles functionalised with target molecules and interacting with eternal devices offer real perspectives for medical applications which come close to the more or less realistic visions connected with nanobots.