This paper profiles R&D on the application of nanoparticles in biosensors and explores potential application development pathways. The analysis uses a dataset of nanotechnology publication records for the time period 2001 through 2008 (part year) extracted from the Science Citation Index. It focuses on emergent research activities in the most recent years. Bibliometric analyses are employed to ascertain R&D trends and research networks for key biosensors. Growth models are fit to forecast the technological trend for nanoparticle-enhanced biosensor research activity. In addition, a combination of quantity (publication) and quality (citation) analysis for nanoparticle-enhanced biosensors helps position the leading countries in this research field. Science overlay mapping shows different emphases of nanoparticle-enhanced biosensor research between the US and China, the leading countries. Recent studies suggest that nano-enhanced biosensors show promise for gains in stability, sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy - for both direct and indirect detection. This paper demonstrates how bibliometric analyses can help anticipate emerging technology development and application potential.