Rebeca T. Stiepel et al., wrote this article in Bioengineering and Translational Medecine and provides a historical overview of micro- and nanotechnology platforms used in medicine, dating back to the 1790s. The authors classify different technologies based on the materials they use, including inorganic, polymer-based, lipid-based, and cell-based therapies. They then discuss the successes of these platforms, including the rapid development of lipid nanoparticle vaccines for COVID-19, and the efficacy of PEGylation, a technique used to improve the properties of drug carriers. However, they also address the challenges that have hindered the widespread adoption of micro- and nanotechnology, such as the manufacturing complexities, potential toxicity, and immune responses. The authors conclude by highlighting the future potential of these technologies to address important medical needs, including personalized medicine and the rapid development of new therapies for infectious diseases.