The emergence of new research based organizational fields drives both scientific progress and economic growth. Yet our knowledge of field emergence is limited. This paper shows how the cross-pollination of ideas between nanotechnology and biotechnology yielded a new subfield - nanobiotechnology.

The growth of the nanobio subfield exceeds the growth within both nanotechnology and biotechnology. Drawing on a large dataset of publications, patents and press-releases between 1991 and 2005 we show that cross-pollination facilitates the movement of ideas between science, technology and commercialization. Scientists who reside in commercial firms additionally assist this transfer of ideas. The results point toward a growth dynamic where the translation of scientific ideas into technological possibilities facilitates subsequent commercialization, and where commercialization further spurs technological development.