Viruses are considered as natural nanomaterials as they are in the size range of 20–500 nm with a genetical material either DNA or RNA, which is surrounded by a protein coat capsid. Recently, the field of virus nanotechnology is gaining significant attention from researchers. Attention is given to the utilization of viruses as nanomaterials for medical, biotechnology and energy applications. Removal of genetic material from the viral capsid creates empty capsid for drug incorporation and coating the capsid protein crystals with antibodies, enzymes or aptamers will enhance their targeted drug deliver efficiency. Studies reported that these virus-like nanoparticles have been used in delivering drugs for cancer. It is also used in imaging and sensory applications for various diseases. However, there is reservation among researchers to utilize virus-like nanoparticles in targeted delivery of genes in gene therapy, as there is a possibility of using virus-like nanoparticles for targeted gene delivery. In addition, other biomedical applications that are explored using virus-like nanoparticles and the probable mechanism of delivering genes.

病毒被认为是天然的纳米材料，因为它们的大小范围在20–500 nm之间，且带有遗传物质DNA或RNA，并被蛋白衣壳包围。最近，病毒纳米技术领域引起了研究人员的极大关注。注意将病毒用作医学，生物技术和能源应用的纳米材料。从病毒衣壳中去除遗传物质会产生空衣壳以用于药物掺入，并用抗体，酶或适体包衣衣壳蛋白晶体，将提高其靶向药物的递送效率。研究报告说，这些病毒样纳米颗粒已用于递送抗癌药物。它也用于各种疾病的成像和感觉应用。然而，由于有可能使用病毒样纳米颗粒进行靶向基因递送，因此研究人员中保留了将病毒样纳米颗粒用于基因治疗中基因靶向递送的意愿。此外，还利用病毒样纳米颗粒和可能的基因传递机制探索了其他生物医学应用。