Autonomous propulsion of carbon nanotubes powered by a multienzyme ensemble.

Covalent attachment of the enzymes glucose oxidase and catalase to carbon nanotubes enables the tandem catalytic conversion of glucose and H(2)O(2) formed to power autonomous movement of the nanotubes.

Tissue biodistribution and blood clearance rates of intravenously administered carbon nanotube radiotracers.

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are intensively being developed for biomedical applications including drug and gene delivery. Although all possible clinical applications will require compatibility of CNT with the biological milieu, their in vivo capabilities and limitations have not yet been explored. In this work, water-soluble, single-walled CNT (SWNT) have been functionalized with the chelating molecule diethylentriaminepentaacetic (DTPA) and labeled with indium ((111)In) for imaging purposes.

Carbon nanotube substrates boost neuronal electrical signaling.

We demonstrate the possibility of using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as potential devices able to improve neural signal transfer while supporting dendrite elongation and cell adhesion. The results strongly suggest that the growth of neuronal circuits on a CNT grid is accompanied by a significant increase in network activity. The increase in the efficacy of neural signal transmission may be related to the specific properties of CNT materials, such as the high electrical conductivity.

Binding and condensation of plasmid DNA onto functionalized carbon nanotubes: toward the construction of nanotube-based gene delivery vectors.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) constitute a class of nanomaterials that possess characteristics suitable for a variety of possible applications. Their compatibility with aqueous environments has been made possible by the chemical functionalization of their surface, allowing for exploration of their interactions with biological components including mammalian cells. Functionalized CNTs (f-CNTs) are being intensively explored in advanced biotechnological applications ranging from molecular biosensors to cellular growth substrates.

Cationic carbon nanotubes bind to CpG oligodeoxynucleotides and enhance their immunostimulatory properties.

Functionalized cationic carbon nanotubes are able to form a stable complex with CpG ODN based on charge interaction and to increase the immunostimulatory activity of CpG motifs.

Synthesis and biological properties of fullerene-containing amino acids and peptides.

Organofullerene derivatives have shown a great potential in a wide variety of biological activities such as DNA photocleavage, HIV-protease inhibition, neuroprotection and apoptosis. Among the plethora of functionalized organofullerenes that have been synthesized, fullerene-based amino acids are particularly appealing for structural studies and biological applications. When the fullerene-framework is incorporated into peptides, its original properties can be substantially modified.

Translocation of bioactive peptides across cell membranes by carbon nanotubes.

Functionalised carbon nanotubes are able to cross the cell membrane and to accumulate in the cytoplasm or reach the nucleus without being toxic for the cell up to 10 [micro sign]M.

Solid-phase synthesis and characterization of a novel fullerene-peptide derived from histone H3.

A peptide analogue from a histone H3 protein containing the L-fulleropyrrolidino-glutamic acid has been prepared by a solid-phase approach and has been fully characterized. By molecular modelling it was verified that this peptide derivative is able to retain a binding capacity to the MHC (major histocompatibility complex) molecule similar to that of the cognate epitope.

Synthesis, structural characterization, and immunological properties of carbon nanotubes functionalized with peptides.

Carbon nanotubes (NTs) are becoming highly attractive molecules for applications in medicinal chemistry. The main problem of insolubility in aqueous media has been solved by developing a synthetic protocol that allows highly water-soluble carbon NTs to be obtained. As a result, biologically active peptides can be easily linked through a stable covalent bond to carbon NTs.

Amino acid functionalisation of water soluble carbon nanotubes.

High solubility of SWNTs and MWNTs in water is obtained by organic functionalisation; derivatisation with N-protected glycine is also easily achieved.

Solid-phase synthesis of fullerene-peptides.

The solid-phase synthesis of peptides (SPPS) containing [60]fullerene-functionalized amino acids is reported. A new amino acid, fulleropyrrolidino-glutamic acid (Fgu), is used for the SPPS of a series of analogues of different length based on the natural Leu(5)-Enkephalin and on cationic antimicrobial peptides. These fullero-peptides were prepared on different solid supports to analyze the influence of the resin on the synthesis.