Over the past few years, Saarland/Rhineland Palatinate has evolved into a centre for nano- and biotechnology and thus is now considered one of Germany's major research and economic regions.

In order to promote the interaction between research, business, politics, and society, NanoBioNet, a non-profit association, was founded in 2002. Since then, the players in NanoBioNet have developed a far-reaching network whose activities extend far beyond the region's borders. In addition to a large number of regionally located small and medium-sized enterprises, a growing number of well-known big companies are also becoming actively involved. They are all linked by their shared interest in nano- and biotechnology, the key technologies of the 21^st century.

Nanobiotechnology, as an interdisciplinary field integrating elements of both nanotechnology and biotechnology, is a central focus of the network. Nanobiotechnology sets the stage for establishing methods by which physiologically harmless and biocompatible materials and/or surfaces can be developed using bio mimetic processes. Nanobiotechnology, therefore, is particularly directed towards developing methods and materials which find application in biology, pharmaceutical, medicine, medical engineering, cosmetics, and the food sector.

In 2006, NanoBioNet became the official successor of CC-NanoBioTech, the centre of excellence, and has been continuing the work of this centre since then.