polysaccharide nanoparticles that are particularly useful in for example drug and agent delivery , tissue - specific targeting , for medical imaging and diagnosis , as well as modifiers of physico - chemical properties . the nanoparticles can be highly - branched glucose homopolymers and can be characterized by a uniform spherical shape . they are monodisperse , hydrophilic and produce low solution viscosities . the nanoparticles are non - toxic , biocompatible and biodegradable . also , the process of isolation of said polysaccharide nanoparticles from various organisms including , but not limited to , microorganisms such as bacteria and yeasts . also provided are methods for chemical conjugation of the polysaccharide nanoparticles with various agents . also provided are examples of use of the polysaccharide nanoparticles and their derivatives as drug delivery systems and fluorescent di - agnostics .