When small gets smart: how the application of nanotechnology is transforming immunology in the 21 st Century

Tremendous progress has been made over the past two decades in understanding how nanoparticles interact with the immune system. This knowledge was used to improve research tools in basic immunology and to develop novel nanotechnology-enabled products to control and direct the immune response for therapeutic purposes, as well as to create diagnostics and vaccines. Here, examples from the current literature investigating nanoparticles for immunological applications are reviewed to demonstrate how nanotechnology has transformed and continues to influence the field of immunology. The successes and current challenges are reviewed to highlight the direction both fields can take to build on their successes, overcome challenges, and improve overall outcomes.