This article summarizes biological detection techniques based on magnetic signal of magnetic nanoparticles and the research progress of these techniques in biomedicine. Biological detection based on magnetic nanoparticles is faster, more accurate and more convenient compared to traditional optical techniques and causes much attention. It can be classified into giant magneto resistive biosensor (GMR), magnetic relaxation switch (based on T2 relaxation time), AC susceptibility (based on Brownian relaxation) and magnetic lateral flow immunoassay. These techniques can be combined with nanotechnology, microfluidics, immunoassay and bio-chips and have wide application prospects in clinical diagnosis, biological detection, environmental monitoring and food security areas.