This invention relates to polymeric nanoparticles useful for drug delivery with target molecules bonded to the surface of the particles and having sizes of up to 1000 nm, preferably 1 nm to 400 nm, more preferably 1 nm to 200 nm, that are dispersed homogeneously in aqueous solution. The target drug/target substance is covalently bonded to the novel polymeric nanoparticles to secure them from outer intervention in vivo or cell culture in vitro until they are exposed at the target site within the cell. This invention also relates to microemulsion polymerization techniques useful for preparing the novel nanoparticles.
