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We present a review of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) spin valve sensors designed for detection of magnetic nanoparticles as biomolecular labels (nanotags) in magneto-nano biodetection technology. We discuss the intricacy of magneto-nano biosensor design and show that as few as approximately 14 monodisperse 16-nm superparamagnetic nanoparticles can be detected by submicron spin valve sensors at room temperature without resorting to lock-in (narrow band) detection. GMR biosensors and biochips have been successfully applied to the detection of biological events in the form of both protein and DNA assays with great speed, sensitivity, selectivity, and economy. The limit of molecular detection is well below 10 pM in concentration, and the protein or DNA assay time can be under two hours. The technology is highly scalable to deep multiplex detection of biomarkers in a complex disease, and …