Nanotechnology is a 21st-century key technology. The many areas of application such as semi-conductors, surfaces, materials, medicine, etc. rely on innovative processes and tools from the field of nanoanalytics, the origin for observation and handling tools. The institutes of the University of Münster are among the leaders in this segment.

The Centre for Nanotechnology (CeNTech) comprises a close interdisciplinary link of the best groups from the faculties of physics, biology, chemistry and medicine of local universities. The physical proximity and the optimum infrastructure, which includes vibrationfree foundations, clean rooms and cutting-edge instrumentation, create ideal conditions for new innovations and their economic use.

Nanobioanalytics

The application of nanotechnological methods of analysis to biologically, medically and pharmaceutically interesting samples forms the core of modern nanobioanalytics. In addition to classic methods that are firmly established in routine bioanalytical applications, physicists have developed new procedures and instrumentations which allow the analysis and partly even the modification of biological molecules at atomic level.

These possibilities in bioanalytics contributed substantially toward the better understanding of the structures and functions of biological molecules. Münster is Europe's top location for nanobioanalytics. The university institutes, the CeNTech and the companies in Münster host the complete spectrum of "state-of-the-art" nanoanalytical equipment. In combination with the research-focused university hospital, the Max-Planck-Institute, the various interdisciplinary centres and numerous biotech firms build up a dynamic cluster of nanobioanalytics.