This book provides a comprehensive look at the important advances made in the design and production of microcapsules, microspheres, and nanoparticles. It discusses the diverse aspects and skills that must be mastered to be able to prepare and test products that will work correctly and be clinically acceptable for human or animal use. Chapters have been contributed by a distinguished international interdisciplinary panel specializing in various fields. Topics include important production technologies, characterization of morphologies, biological and chemical behavior of products and polymers, assessment of drug release kinetics, and pharmacokinetics and bioavailability. New clinical directions are surveyed, including chemo-embolization, passive and active targeting of tumors or organs, use of natural cell membranes for encapsulation, and the microencapsulation of biochemically active substances and living cells for cell or organ function replacement. Biochemists and researchers in the medical, pharmaceutical, and physical science fields, and students will discover that this is a valuable book packed with essential reference information.