The emerging field of nanotube biotechnology

Abstract

Nanoparticles are being developed for a host of biomedical and biotechnological applications, including drug delivery, enzyme immobilization and DNA transfection. Spherical nanoparticles are typically used for such applications, which reflects the fact that spheres are easier to make than other shapes. Micro- and nanotubes--structures that resemble tiny drinking straws--are alternatives that might offer advantages over spherical nanoparticles for some applications. This article discusses four approaches for making micro- and nanotubes, and reviews the current status of efforts to develop biomedical and biotechnological applications of these tubular structures.

Novel Nanomaterials for Clinical Neuroscience

“…Also, it provides a way to control drug release through the nanotube wall, while the large hollow area inside nanotubes provides an excellent storage for drugs and other agents. Furthermore, nanotubes can be synthesized to be open-ended, which can be exploited for certain biological applications (Hartgerink et al 1996;Martin and Kohli 2003;Greiner et al 2006;Tsai et al 2006). …”

Two-color spectroscopy of UV excited ssDNA complex with a single-wall nanotube photoluminescence probe: Fast relaxation by nucleobase autoionization mechanism

“…Indeed, transient absorption microscopy, single-and two-photon fluorescence, Raman, and photo-thermal microscopy have been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo [14,[16][17][18]. Due to the nanotube transverse size of a few nanometers (nm) and large aspect ratio up to 10 4 − 10 6 , controllable, in principle, by synthesis and/or post-processing, several applications in biological sensing have been achieved through direct mechanical, optical, and electronic interactions with biopolymers and cellular organelles of a similar size [19][20][21][22].…”

Carbon Nanotubes Engineering Assisted by Natural Biopolymers

“…Kam et al initially tried to deliver ssRNA into cells through functionalized CNTs in year 2005 . Later, researchers have found that functionalized CNTs can cross the cell membrane (Martin, et al 2003;Pantarotto, et al 2004). Carbon nanotubes can be used to facilitate delivery of DNA or any bioactive agent to cells.…”