Bionanotechnology blends the areas of nanotechnology and biological sciences. It focuses on a wide area of fundamental research and engineering such as the fabrication of nanomaterials utilizing components and catalysts from the biological sciences as well as the application of nanotechnology to understanding and quantifying biological systems. Areas such as the development of nanomaterial-based drug-delivery systems, the development of novel biosensors and their application to clinical diagnostics as well as high-throughput screening and the exploration of how nanomaterials interact with living systems are all subjects of intense current interest. The Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN), coordinates various leading-edge nanotechnology research areas at the University of Waterloo (Canada). One focus is the area of bionanotechnology.

Bionanotechnology blends the areas of nanotechnology and biological sciences. This article surveys the area of nanoscale biosensor development and the application of state-of-the-art biophysical techniques to elucidate fundamental membrane and surfactant biochemistry undertaken at the University of Waterloo (Canada). The Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN), coordinates various cutting-edge nanotechnology research areas at the University of Waterloo. One focus is the area of biosensor research and fundamental biophysics in bionanotechnology. This is Part 2 of a contribution from the WIN initiative.