Nanobiotechnology in drug delivery

Nanotechnology is a novel branch of science that deals with the characterization, creation, and utilization of materials, devices, and systems at the nanometer scale. Advances in nanotechnology are spurring a revolution in science, engineering and therapeutics, particularly in drug delivery. Targeted delivery of therapeutic molecules is the most desirable feature of an effective drug therapy. Conventional chemotherapy faces major drawbacks such as poor specificity of the drug, increased adverse effects, and reduced therapeutic efficacy. Application of nanotechnology in drug delivery systems has provided new avenues for engineering materials with molecular precision. This aids in fabricating nanoscale delivery devices that combine diagnostic and therapeutic actions for immediate administration of therapy. Nanotechnology can generate a library of sophisticated drug delivery systems that integrate molecular recognition and site-specific delivery of the therapeutic agents. It formulates therapeutic agents in biocompatible nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, nanocapsules, liposomes, and micelles. This review focuses on some of the nano-sized systems used in drug delivery and discusses the potential applications of nanotechnology in the delivery of macromolecular therapeutic agents.