Plenty of Room for Biology at the Bottom

An Introduction to Bionanotechnology

This expanded and updated edition of the 2007 version introduces readers from various backgrounds to the rapidly growing interface between biology and nanotechnology. It intellectually integrates concepts, applications, and outlooks from these major scientific fields and presents them to readers from diverse backgrounds in a comprehensive and didactic manner.

Written by two leading nanobiologists actively involved at the forefront of the field both as researchers and educators, this book takes the reader from the fundamentals of nanobiology to the most advanced applications.

The book fulfils a unique niche: to address not only students, but also scientists who are eager (and nowadays obliged) to learn about other state-of-the-art disciplines. The book is written in such a way as to be accessible to biologists, chemists, and physicists with no background in nanotechnology (for example biologists who are interested in inorganic nanostructures or physicists who would like to learn about biological assemblies and applications thereof). It is reader-friendly and will appeal to a wide audience not only in academia but also in the industry and anyone interested in learning more about nanobiotechnology.

Contents:

• Introduction: Nanobiotechnology and Bionanotechnology
• A Brief Introduction to Nanotechnology
• Natural Biological Assembly at the Nanometric Scale
• Nanometric Biological Assemblies: Molecular and Chemical Basis for Interaction
• Molecular Recognition and the Assembly of Biological Structures
• Self-Assembly of Biological and Bio-Inspired Nanomaterials
• Application of Biological Assemblies in Nanotechnology
• Medical and Other Applications of Bionanotechnology
• Future Prospects for Nanobiotechnology and Bionanotechnology
• Concluding Remarks: The Prospects and Dangers of the Nanobiological Revolution
• Appendix A: There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom: An Invitation to Enter a New Field of Physics — by Richard P Feynman
• Appendix B: List of Bionanotechnological and Nanobiotechnological Companies
• Appendix C: Glossary

Readership: Postgraduates, researchers and academics in biology, physics and chemistry; life science companies.
Key Features:

• Contains the latest information, especially with regards to new developments (that have grown exponentially since the date of its first publication) as well as new figures
• Particularly useful to new entrants in the fields of Nanobiotechnology not only for offering a first intellectual contact, but also new insights. An extensive list of references will give adequate resources for those that want to explore further
• The latest developments will be treated by including references up to end of 2011
• Includes a glossary and a selected list of companies actively involved in nanobiotechnology and will be an important reference for those interested in the application aspects of the field