Int. J. Nano and Biomaterials, Vol. 3, No. 2, 2010 119 Copyright © 2010 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. Nanotechnology in biomedical applications: a review Viswanathan S. Saji* School of Energy Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 689–805, Republic of Korea Fax: +82-52-217-2929 E-mail: vssaji@unist.ac.kr *Corresponding author Han Cheol Choe Department of Dental Materials, School of Dentistry, Chosun University, Gwangju 501–825, Republic of Korea Fax: +82-62-230-6896 E-mail: hcchoe@chosun.ac.kr Kelvin W.K. Yeung Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR, China Fax: +852-2817-4392 E-mail: wkkyeung@hku.hk Abstract: Incorporation of functionalised and modified nanostructures in various biomedical applications has generated considerable research interest in recent years. The applications of nanotechnology in medicine and biomedical engineering are vast and spans areas such as implant and tissue engineering, diagnosis and therapy. The present scenario demands designing of nanotools which can respond to the needs of biological problems and prepare more efficient biomedical approaches. This article reviews recent developments in nanobiotechnology with special emphasis on load bearing implants and novel tissue engineered scaffolds. Novel research approaches in nanomedicine and major challenges to practical applications are also highlighted. Keywords: nanomaterials; implants; nanomedicine; nanotoxicity. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Saji, V.S., Choe, H.C. and Yeung, K.W.K. (2010) ‘Nanotechnology in biomedical applications: a review’, Int. J. Nano and Biomaterials, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp.119–139. Biographical notes: Viswanathan S. Saji is currently a Research Scientist at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Republic of Korea. His research interest lies in biomaterials, energy materials and corrosion.