Magnetic nano- and microparticles have already found many important applications in various areas of biosciences, medicine, biotechnology, environmental technology etc. Magnetic particles belong to the group of “smart materials” or “stimuli responsive materials” which exhibit response to external magnetic field. In most cases magnetic composite particles, prepared from biocompatible synthetic polymers or biopolymers have been used. These particles can be efficiently separated from difficult-to-handle samples and targeted to the desired place, used as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging, to generate heat during exposition to alternating magnetic field, to modify bio molecules and biological structures etc.

Different areas of biosciences and biotechnology have already benefited from the application of biologically active compounds (antibodies, enzymes, lectins, nucleic acids, oligonucleotides, specific affinity ligands)  immobilized to magnetic nano- and microparticles (e.g., immunomagnetic assays of target compounds, affinity separation of cells, cell organelles or molecules, molecular biology applications, magnetofection, etc.). Biocompatible and biodegradable magnetic materials have been used as contrast agents during MRI, for magnetic drug targeting and magnetic fluid hyperthermia. Magnetically responsive microbial cells or lignocellulose, useful for xenobiotics removal, can be prepared by ferrofluid modification.

Both biosciences and nanotechnology can have enormous benefit from close mutual cooperation.

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