Advances in information storage technologies since the 1950s have resulted in the preparation of different types of magnetic nanoparticles with dešned properties. Since then, the applications of magnetic nanoparticles in different areas of biosciences and biotechnology have been studied intensively. Magnetic nano-and microparticles have been used for in vitro cells and biomolecules separation, immobilisation of biologically active compounds, for in vivo magnetic drug targeting, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic hyperthermia tumour therapy and wastewater treatment. Due to rapid advances in nanotechnology, novel synthetic routes for fabricating magnetic nanoparticles with the dešned properties-for example, coating, crystallinity and size uniformity-have been reported. The development of these new types of magnetic nanomaterials, together with their surface functionalisation and stabilisation, has led for their expanded biology, biotechnology and medical applications1.