Nanobiotechnology, bionanotechnology, and nanobiology are terms that refer to the intersection of nanotechnology and biology. Given that the subject is one that has only emerged very recently, bionanotechnology and nanobiotechnology serve as blanket terms for various related technologies.

1. NanoBiotechnology
J. Kanmani Bharathi. M.Sc. (Ag.)
I PhD., Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Dept. Of Genetic and Plant Breeding.

2. Nanobiotechnology is defined as the applications of techniques of
Nanotechnology for the development and improvement of biotechnological process and
products. For instance lab on a chip, Point of care (POC) diagnostics, nano robots and
real time Nanosensors.
Nanobiotechnology is the creation of functional materials, devices and systems,
through the understanding and control of matter at dimensions in the nanometre scale
length (1-100 nm), where new functionalities and properties of matter are observed and
harnessed for a broad range of applications.
Integration of nano-sized/structured materials, nano-scale analytical tools, and
nano-devices into biological sciences for development of new biomaterials and
analytical toolkits as well as for understanding life science

3. Nano-pesticides
Pesticide residue
detection

4. SiO2 nanofertilizer application increased growth and yield in
cucumber through improved nitrogen and phosphorus content
Nanozeo urea fertilizer enhanced crude protein of maize plant
growing in black soil by 26.1% and in red soils by 36.1%
Copper (Cu) NP application increased the growth
and yield of wheat cultivar Millat-2011 by
enhancing leaf area, chlorophyll content, fresh and
dry weight, and root dry weight
EDTA-coated Fe3O4 NPs increased
iron content in sunflower
iron pyrite NP treatment on spinach seeds
improved plant growth and enhanced breakdown
of starch in seeds
Nanofertilizers
Nanofertilizers hold
the promise to
alleviate the
environmental
problems caused by
the use of chemical
fertilizers.

5. Chitosan/tripolyphosphate NPs loaded with paraquat herbicide are
less toxic to crops and are safe in controlling weeds
NPs of poly (epsilon-caprolactone)
containing the herbicide atrazine were
tested on target (Brassica sp.) and
nontarget (Zea mays) plants.
Nanoherbicides
NP-based herbicide
has several
advantages over
conventional
herbicides such as
increased water
solubility, lower
weed resistance,
specificity and
decreased toxicity.

6. • Silica NPs used against Sitophilus oryzae provide 90% pest
mortality.
• 70–80-nm sized silica NP provided 100% mortality against
Corcyra cephalonica
CuO NPs controls cotton leafworm larvae (Spodoptera littorals)
with mortality of 100%.
Ag NPs synthesized from leaf extract of Euphorbia
hirta provide protection against larvae and pupae
of the cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera)
Nanosilica derived from the plant is effective
in controlling the infection of nuclear
polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) of silkworm
Bacillus thuringiensis-coated ZnO NPs delay the
larval and pupal development period of
Callosobruchus maculatus.
Nanopesticides
The excessive use of
pesticides is causing
adverse effects on
organisms,
environment, and
nitrogen-fixing
ability of plants.
Nanopesticides
overcame this
problem.

8. High-molecular-weight chitosan NPs show antifungal activity
against F. solani and Aspergillus niger
Cu NPs inhibit the activity of plant pathogenic fungi like Phoma
destructive, Curvularia lunata, A. alternata, and F. oxysporum.
Silver-based NPs were found to be effective
against 18 fungal species (Alternaria alternata, A.
brassicicola, A. solani, Botrytis cinerea,
Cladosporium cucumerinum, Corynespora cassiicola,
Cylindrocarpon destructans, Didymella bryoniae,
Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cucumerinum, F.
oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, F. solani, Fusarium sp.,
Glomerella cingulata, Monosporascus cannonballus,
Pythium aphanidermatum, P. spinosum, and
Stemphylium lycopersici).
Ag and Cu NPs, used against A. alternata and
Botrytis cinerea, showed maximum inhibition
of the fungal hyphae growth
ZnO NP application against Botrytis cinerea and
Penicillium expansum causes deformation in fungal
hyphae and inhibition of B. cinerea growth. In addition,
ZnO NPs inhibit the growth of conidiophores and conidia
of P. expansum, leading to the death of fungal hyphae
Nanofungicides
several
nanofungicides
have been tested
against many plant
diseases

9. Most of the times the stored seeds show viability rate below the claim. The NP-based methods are
being developed to improve the seed germination of stored seeds
Enhancing Seed Germination
The NPs of C, Zn, Au, Ag, and Si have been claimed to improve seed
germination of several plants.
 Carbon nanotube application at 10–40 μg ml−1 solvent increases
tomato seed germination.
 ZnO NP application enhances the germination rate in many plants.
(15 mgl−1 enhances rice seed germination).
 Au NP application at 1000 μM increased the Gloriosa superba
germination rate and 50 mgl−1 on Pennisetum glaucum seeds shows
the highest germination percentage.
 10 ppm nanosize TiO2 treatment decreases the mean germination
time (34%) in spinach seeds.
 Nanosilicon dioxide application at 8 gl−1 enhanced tomato seed
germination percent.
 binary mixtures of six metal oxide NPs (TiO2, Fe2O3, CuO, NiO,
Co3O4, and ZnO) were used for evaluating seed germination in
brassica

10. Production of GM
Crops
 Nanobiotechnology also finds application in gene
modification. For example, mesoporous silica nanoparticle
(MSN) was used to transport DNA and chemicals into plant
cells and leaves.
 The MSNs were used as carriers to deliver Cre recombinase
protein into Zea mays cells for genome editing.
 A fluorescent-conjugated polymer NP (CPN) was used for
delivering siRNAs to knockdown a target gene in the
cellulose biosynthesis pathway (NtCesA-1a and NtCesA1b)
in plant protoplasts.
 Calcium phosphate NPs were used to deliver pBI121
harboring GFP driven by 35S promoter-encoding plasmid
DNA into tobacco.

11. Nano
BioSensors
 Nano biosensors are basically the sensors which are made up of
nanomaterials and interestingly these are not the specialized sensors which
can detect the nanoscale events and happenings.
 Nano biosensors are devices that measure a biochemical or biological
event using any electronic, optical, or magnetic technology through a
compact probe.

12. The most widely accepted definition of a
Nanobiosensor is: "an analytical device which
incorporates a biologically active nanoelement with
an appropriate physical transducer to generate a
measurable signal proportional to the concentration
of chemicals in any type of a sample.

13. CHARACTERISTICS FOR AN IDEAL NANOBIOSENSORS
90%
Highly specific for the purpose of the analyses i.e. a sensor must be able to distinguish between analyte and any “other”
material.
Stable under normal storage conditions.
Specific interaction between analytes should be independent of any physical parameters such as stirring, pH and
temperature.
Reaction time should be minimal.
The responses obtained should be accurate, precise, reproducible and linear over the useful analytical range and also
be free from electrical noise.
The nanobiosensor must be tiny, biocompatible, nontoxic and non-antigenic
Should be cheap, portable and capable of being used by semi-skilled operators.

14. Constituents of Nanobiosensors
2. The transducer acts as an interface, measuring
the physical change that occurs with the reaction at
the bioreceptor/sensitive biological element then
transforming that energy into measurable electrical
output.
3. The biologically sensitized elements (Detector) including
receptors, enzymes, antibodies, nucleic acids, molecular
imprints, lectins, tissue, microorganisms, organelles etc.,
which are either a biologically derived material or bio-mimic
component that receives signals from the analytes (sample)
of interest and transmits it to transducer. And such nano-
receptor may play a vital role in the development of future
nanobiosensors.
1. The transducer acts as an interface,
measuring the physical change that occurs with
the reaction at the bioreceptor/sensitive
biological element then transforming that energy
into measurable electrical output.
Living biological system - (cell, tissue or whole
organism)
Molecular species - (antibody, enzyme, protein)
A typical nanobiosensor comprises of 3 components; biologically
sensitized elements (probe), transducer and detector.

15. WORKING PRINCIPLE OF A BIOSENSOR
The interaction of the analyte with the bioreceptor is designed to produce an effect
measured by the transducer, which converts the information into a measurable effect,
such as an electrical electronic signal.

16. TYPES OF NANOBIOSENSORS

17. Optical Nanobiosensors
Optical biosensors are based on the arrangement of optics where beam of light is circulated in
a closed path and the change is recorded in resonant frequency when the analyte binds to the resonator.
The resonator can be basically divided into linear resonator (light bounces between two end mirrors)
and ring resonators (light is circulated in two different directions as end mirrors are absent). optical NS
are based on the oscillating light within a cavity.
Most of the commercially available optical biosensors rely on the use of lasers to monitor and
quantify interactions of biomolecules that occur on specially derived surfaces or biochips. Surface
plasmon resonance (SPR) is an optical-electrical phenomenon involving the interaction of light with the
electrons of a metal. It is based on the transfer of the energy carried by photons of light to a group of
electrons (a plasmon) at the surface of a metal. Miniature optical sensors that specifically identify low
concentrations of environmental and biological substances are in high demand. Recently, a triangular
silver nanoparticle with remarkable

18. Ymeti et al. (2007).

19. Nanowire Biosensors
Nanowire biosensor is a hybrid of two molecules that are
extremely sensitive to outside signals: single stranded DNA,
(serving as the “detector”) and a carbon nanotube, (serving as
the transmitter). The surface properties of nanowires can be
easily modified using chemical or biological molecular ligands,
which make them analyte independent. This transduces the
chemical binding event on their surface into a change in
conductance of the nanowire with extreme sensitivity, real
time and quantitative fashion.
Boron-doped silicon nanowires (SiNWs) have been used to
create highly sensitive, real-time electrically based sensors for
biological moleculs.

20. Ion Channel Switch Biosensor
The Ion Channel Switch (ICS) is based on a synthetic self-assembling membrane that acts as
a biological switch for detecting the signals i.e. the presence of specific molecules by triggering an
electrical current. It delivers precise and quantitative test results in an immediate timeframe and
reduces the time of emergency diagnoses from hours down to minutes.
Nanoshell Biosensors
Positioning gold nanoshells are used in a rapid immunoassay for detecting analytes within
complex biological media without any sample preparation. Aggregation of antibody/nanoshell
conjugates with extinction spectra in the near infrared is monitored spectroscopically in the
presence of analyte. Nanoshells can enhance chemical sensing by as much as 10 billion times.

21. Electronic Nano biosensors
Electronic nanobiosensors work by electronically detecting the binding of a target DNA that
actually forms a bridge between two electrically separated wires on a microchip. Each chip contains
multiple sensors, which can be independently addressed with capture probes for different target DNA
molecules from the same or different organisms.
Mechanical Nanobiosensors
Nanoscale mechanical forces between biomolecules provide an exciting ground to measure the
biomolecular interaction. This helps in the development of minute, sensitive and label free biosensors.

22. PEBBLE Nanobiosensors
Probes Encapsulated by Biologically Localized Embedding (PEBBLE) nanobiosensors consist of
sensor molecules entrapped in a chemically inert matrix by a microemulsion polymerization process that
produces spherical sensors in the size range of 20 to 200 nm. Various sensor molecules can be entrapped
including those that detect optical change , change in pH or Ca2+ ions or can detect the fluorescence.
These nanosensors are capable of monitoring real-time inter- and intra-cellular imaging of ions
and molecules, while at the same time they are also insensitive to interference from proteins and show
great reversibility and stability to leaching and photobleaching. In human plasma they demonstrate a
robust oxygen sensing capability, little affected by light scattering and autofluorescence

23. Gluco Meter Strips

24. Pregnancy Tester Mechanism
Human chorionic gonadotropin

25. Types of nanobiosensors used in agricultural sector
Alvarado et al. 2019

26. Timeline
1983
1980
1976
1975
1975
1970
1969
1962
First description of a
biosensor of : an
amperometric enzyme
electrode
(Glucosesensor) by Clark.
Add Text
Commercial
biosensor (Yellow
Spring Instrumental
Biosensor)
first microbe based
biosensor (first
Immunosensor)..
Fibre-optic pH
sensor for in-vivo
blood gases by
Peterson.
ion-selective Field
Effect Transistor
(ISFET) by Bergveld.
Potentiometric biosensor :
urease immobilized on an
ammonia electrode to
detect urea by Guilbault &
Montalva.
Fibre-optic sensor
with immobilized
indicator to measure
carbon-di-oxide or
oxygen by
Lubbers & Optiz.
Bedside artificial
pancrease.
Surface plasmon
resonance (SPR)
immunosensor.

27. Timeline
2000
1987
Blood Glucose
biosensor launched
by Medi-
sense Exac Tech.
Nanotechnology
biosensor, chip,
quantum dots
etc..

28. Environmental Applications
Biological Applications
DNA Sensors; Genetic monitoring, disease Immunosensors;
HIV, Hepatitis, other viral disease, drug testing,
Environmental monitoring...
Cell-based Sensors; functional sensors, drug testing., Point-
of-care sensors; blood, urine, electrolytes, gases, steroids,
drugs, hormones, proteins, other...
Bacteria Sensors; (E-coli, streptococcus, other): food
industry, medicine, environmental, other.
Enzyme sensors; diabetics, drug testing, other.
Detection of environmental pollution and toxicity
• Agricultural monitoring
• Ground water screening
• Ocean monitoring
Applications of
Nanobiosensors

29. Nanotechnology Applied to Food and
Agriculture
Agrochemical
Plant Health
Agriculture Blo-Energy
Animal
Delivery of pesticides, fertilizers, and other agrichemicals
Delivery more efficiently (e.g. only when needed or for
better absorption).
Detect plant pathogens early.
Delivery of DNA to plants towards certain tissues (i.e.
Production targeted genetic engineering).
Smart Agricultural system.
Single molecule detection to determine
enzyme/substrate or Products interactions (e.g. cellulases
in production of ethanol).
Delivery of growth hormone in a controlled fashion.
Production Identity preservation and tracking Animal or
Detect animal pathogens, such foot and mouth disease

30. Advantages of Nanobiosensors over Conventional Biosensors
 These sensors are ultra sensitive and can detect single virus particles or even
ultra-low concentrations of a substance that could be potentially harmful.
 Nanobiosensors works at atomic scale with highest efficiency.
 Nanobiosensors also have increased surface to volume ratio.
Disadvantages of nanobiosensors
• Nanobiosensors are very sensitive and error prob.
• Nanobiosensors are still under infancy stage.

31. Application of nanobiotechnology in food industry
Adapted from Ravichandran
2010

32. Department of Biotechnology
 Development of protein nanomedicine which is a Transferrin–conjugated Albumin
Sorafenib Nano Particles (T-AbSorf) for treatment of CML, Liver & Renal tumour.
 Self-fluorescent cell permeable glucose derived carbon Nanospheres as a brain
targeting vehicle having implications in drug delivery and imaging for Alzheimer's
disease, Multimodal contrast agent based on bio-mineral nanoparticles & Magnetic
nanopropellers for cancer specific applications.
 Further, 30 patents have been filed & 6 technologies having commercialization potential
was generated as outcome of R & D efforts of department in this area.
 A startup emerged from InStem Bangluru, which primarily focuses on the development
of on-demand, bio-responsive deliverables to reduce pathologies associated with
chronic inflammation. The product under development minimizes exposure to toxic
pesticides through skin contact and inhalation, during the spraying of pesticides. This is
of relevance to the farming community.
Guidelines for evaluation of Nanobased
Agri and Food Products in India

33. Ethical Concerns
New technology inventions always have ethical issues and risks that come along
with it. Researchers can overcome these issues by giving awareness to public on
challenges and advantages of nanobiotechnology, to make it publicly acceptable.
Application of nanotechnology in food and agriculture is still is early stages and
many applications may develop in future. Nano particles attract researchers to study
development of more of these sensors in agriculture or healthcare.
The aim of this new research is to make plant use pesticides, water and fertilizers
efficiently and ecofriendly. Nanotechnology in agriculture will enhance life and improve
the quality of food.
Nano science in agriculture is vague due to people response toward GM crops
thus awareness has to be provided. If we overcome this jagged outline present in our
society then we could achieve beneficial and bright future at the door step of a common
man.

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36. THANK YOU
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