Carbon Nanotube: a Flexible Approach for Nanomedicine and Drug Delivery
Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: Nanostructures of carbon were first observed in 1952, which gained worldwide interest due to their various physicochemical properties. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have found wide applications in the delivery of therapeutic agents such as peptides, proteins, siRNA, nucleic acids, genes, vaccines and also in bone and neural tissue regeneration. Functionalized CNTs have found to be biocompatible. The eye-catching features of these structures are their electronic, mechanical, optical and chemical characteristics, which open a way to future applications and make them good candidates for a wide variety of applications, including drug transporters, new therapeutics, delivery systems and diagnostics. Their unique surface area, stiffness, strength, and resilience have led to much excitement in the field of pharmacy. They can pass through membranes, carrying therapeutic drugs, vaccines, and nucleic acids deep into the cell to targets that are previously unreachable. The applications of carbon nanotubes are in tissue engineering, drug carrier release system, wound healing, in cancer treatment and as biosensor. The successful realization of CNT-based biosensors requires proper control of their chemical and physical properties, as well as their functionalization and surface immobilization. Real applications are still under development. The modifications are done to improve efficiency of carbon nanotubes by formulating luminescent carbon nanotubes, ultrathin carbon nano-needles, magnetically guided nanotubes. Researchers have recently developed a new approach to boron neutron capture therapy in the treatment of cancer using substituted carborane-appended water-Soluble single-wall carbon nanotubes. This article provides an overview of current nanotube technology, with a special focus on synthesis and purification, properties, benefits, and applications. Keywords: Carbon nanotubes, Biosensors, Tissue engineering, Biocompatible.
Institution: GIET University
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W1875709876