This paper presents a feasible protocol for the preparation of a novel versatile nanocomposite possessing superparamagnetism via a layer-by-layer method. We combined (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane-coated magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (APTES-MNPs) with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD). The following unusual features were integrated in a single nano-system: (a) the silane coating outside the magnetic Fe3O4 cores derived from the hydrolysis of APTES acted as a coupling agent and provided amino group (-NH2) for linking the CD molecule; (b) the outermost CD moieties can function as inclusion sites and specific containers for drugs and biomolecules; (c) the innermost magnetic cores were able to sense and respond to an externally applied magnetic field and their behaviors in vivo or in vitro can be artificially manipulated and navigated. The obtained nanocomposite turned out to be superparamagnetic with a relatively high saturation magnetization value of 69 emu g (1), which implies potentially promising applications in magnetic drug delivery technology and bioseparation. (C) 2009 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.