Nanotechnology represents a new frontier in science and technology with long term goals and benefits. Nowadays, nanotechnology is producing many revolutions and applications such as quantum computing, surface and materials modification, novel separation and sensing technologies, and human biomedical replacements. These new techniques are being introduced in food and bio filed. In this review, the status and trends related to nanocomposites, nanoparticles, nanotubes, delivery vehicles and biosafety were reviewed. The situation of funding of nanotechnology research in USA, Japan and Korea is also summarized.

The biosensor technology, which makes it possible to detect biomaterial such as protein, pathogen, and small molecules, is useful in such areas as diagnosis, bioprocessing, and food analysis or safety. For the development of a highly sensitive biosensor, immobilization techniques of organic/bio films on solid substrate, and detection methods of protein-protein reactions appearing in a few nanometers region from the sensor surface should be established. In this review, several immobilization techniques and detection methods are reviewed based on the articles reported recently.

SPR biosensors which belong to a family of thin film refractometry-based sensors measure refractive index changes produced by biomolecular interactions occurring at the surface of the sensors. The main advantage of SPR biosensors is to detect molecular interactions directly without the use of labels. This feature makes them possible to observe biomolecular interactions in real-time or near real-time. The non-specific binding between ligand and target analyte may, however, produce a false refractive index change resulting in false sensor response. The applications of SPR biosensors have involved biomolecular interaction kinetics analysis, affinity measurement, screening and concentration assay, and so on.