Glowing nanotubes to aid therapeutics
23 Apr 2012 by Evoluted New Media
Glowing carbon nanotubes could be the key to delivering drugs to cancer cells or modified DNA molecules for gene therapy say researchers in Bath.
Researchers from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Bath have found carbon nanotubes can safely penetrate human cells – breaking through the cell’s outer membrane – and could act as a cargo carrier to deliver therapeutic molecules that would otherwise be unable to enter.
They could also be used to carry imaging agents like fluorescent tags and radionuclides – radioactive isotopes used in therapy and diagnosis – which would make it possible to obtain better images of cells and tissues and aid in earlier detection of cancers.
The team has developed a technique which involves shortening, modifying and purifying carbon nanotubes so that they are less harmful to cells than commercially-available nanotubes. They also wrap the nanotubes tightly in glowing fluorescent molecules using an innovative, rapid, highly controllable and low-cost process based on supramolecular chemistry.
Early indications suggest that the nanotube/molecule assemblies may be absorbed particularly well by prostate cancer cells. The next stage of the research involves looking at how the nanotubes could be developed to carry a medically useful cargo both inside and outside the tube, and also how to target specific cells – particularly damaged or cancerous ones.
Further work will also include devising a simpler way of ensuring a strong attachment between molecules and nanotubes so that molecules are able to penetrate a cell membrane without becoming dislodged.
