Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have shown great potential for use as
cellular probes. As “nanopipes” they can
be used to transport liquids to or from cells and inject solutions or
drugs directly into individual cells and individual organelles within
the cells. In addition, because of the small diameters of the carbon
nanotubes, they induce little damage to cells upon penetration. By
making these probes able to sense within the cells, information about
chemical interactions within the cells could be determined.
Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) has this capability.
A journal article just released on the nanotechnology website
AZoNano examines making carbon nanotubes SERS active by
functionalization with SERS active nanoparticles. This creates the
possibility of extremely sensitive study and identification of
components of cells. In addition, the nanotubes can be applied to a
nanofluidic device where they can serve as an interconnection between a
fluid reservoir and the cell, to both deliver and extract fluids. The
effects of the fluids on the cells could then be studied in situ.
The paper by Alia Sabur from Drexel University has been
released as part of the open access journal, AZoJono. The research
found that carbon nanotubes and nanopipes can be used as SERS probes by
two different methods that achieved identical results. Combining these
SERS active nanotubes with already existing nano-probing techniques
could enable the study of cells with single-molecule sensitivity.
The article is available to view in full at http://www.azonano.com/Details.asp?ArticleID=1993.
Posted 3rd October 2007
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