topic Hightech Strategy

Nanobiotechnology

In addition to biotechnology, nanotechnology is one of the most future-oriented technologies of the 21st century. Nanobiotechnology is becoming established in the interdisciplinary area, supported by a dynamic boom in innovations. It is bridging the gap between inanimate and animate nature and aims at understanding the basic principles of biological functional units as well as creating extremely small components at "nano-scale" in a controlled way with technical materials.

Nanobiotechnology is bridging the gap between inanimate and animate nature. It aims at understanding the basic principles of biological functional units as well as creating extremely small elements at nano-scale in a controlled way with technical materials and interfaces.

Nanobiotechnology is characterized by high interdisciplinarity and will promote close cooperation between the life sciences, physical and chemical sciences as well as engineering. The preconditions for applying this new technology are to be created by means of cooperation between industry and science in interdisciplinary collaborative projects. As early as April 2000, the BMBF established the "Nanobiotechnology" funding measure in order to develop this new research area in Germany and to make it internationally competitive. Under this funding measure, funds of up to €50 million will be made available until the year 2006.