859 Copyright © 2017, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. Chapter 34 DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-1798-6.ch034 ABSTRACT Evaluation of immuno-modulating properties of nanomaterials is important to develop new potential therapeutics for infammatory diseases and cancer. Activation and suppressive efects of nanomaterials on immune responses occur through various interactions with diferent host proteins. They can also be engineered as carriers and/or adjuvants for diferent proteins or antigens. Particles, emulsions, and tubes/rods are the major formats of nanomaterials currently used in biomedical applications. Sometimes, nanomaterials induce side efects like undesired immunosuppression and toxicities, which are major concerns at present in designing optimal nanotherapeutics. This chapter summarizes diferent types of nanomaterials and their efect on immune responses. INTRODUCTION Nanomaterials comprise of small substances in the size range < 100 nm. Due to their smaller size they possess unique mechanical, functional, electrical and magnetic properties (Tao Gao, 2005). They could be made from different types of materials including metals, ceramics and polymers into various forms such as nanotubes, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, nanoliposomes and quantum dots (Aitken et al., 2006). Low doses, site specificity and modifiable characteristics make them versatile materials for robust applications in medicine like drug delivery, cancer therapy, magnetic resonance imaging and in the delivery of antigens/immunogens (Lonkar & Dedon, 2011). In this context, fluorescent nanoprobe was used as a biomarker for detecting increased vascular permeability in cancer and arthritis disease models (Sandanaraj et al., 2010). Nanoparticle based delivery of biomolecules offers more advantages Applications of Nanomaterials for Activation and Suppression of Immune Responses Akhilesh Kumar Shakya Texas Tech University, USA Kutty Selva Nandakumar Karolinksa Institute, Sweden & University of Arkansas, USA