Diffusion of carbon nanotubes with single-molecule fluorescence microscopy

Abstract

Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are a promising gene and drug delivery system since their physical dimensions mimic nucleic acids. Towards this aim, the hydrophobicity of SWNTs was averted by coating with ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymer [poly(rU)] or bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the consequent diffusion of these synthetic-biomolecular hybrids was studied by single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. The diffusion coefficient for SWNT-poly(rU) was measured at 0.374±0.045μm2∕s and for SWNT-BSA it was 0.442±0.046μm2∕s. Our diffusion study provides a fundamental guidance to gene delivery using SWNT as transporters.

Solubilization of single-walled carbon nanotubes with condensed aromatic compounds

“…Ke et al [41][42][43] described spectral properties of RNA bound to SWNTs as well as RNA polymer translocation with SWNTs. Our interest is to construct assembled thin film of gene polymers RNA-SWNT nanocomposites on a solid substrate by using the so-called ''layer-by-layer deposition'' technique is possible [44].…”

Nanocarriers: Promising Vehicle for Bioactive Drugs

“…Carbon nanotubes are characterized in terms of diffusion by single molecule fluorescent microscopy. 26) These synthetic carriers were found to be biocompatible when studied on human HEK 293 cells, signifying their safety. 27) Multiwalled carbon nanotubes are also suitable delivery system for transformation specifically to bacterial cells (E. coli) and for nanoscale cell electroporation.…”

Generation of Chemically Unmodified Pure Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Solubilizing with RNA and Treatment with Ribonuclease A

“…[1] Recent reports have demonstrated that CNTs can also be wrapped with RNA oligonucleotides in the same way as short oligos of DNA. [2] Single molecules of poly(rU)-CNT (U: uracil) composites have been used to visualize CNTs using RNA fluorescent dyes [3] and were shown to be transported inside living cells with potential applications in drug delivery. [4] RNAwrapped CNTs have several potential advantages over DNAwrapped tubes for biomedical applications.…”