Nanoscience Research Update Archive

Highlight: Interfacing Carbon Nanotubes with Biological Systems

In 2007, scientists realized that molecular wires known as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were endowned with remarkable structural, electrical and mechanical properties. They had many potential biological applications, including sensing, imaging and scaffolding for cell growth. But there was a problem. The unmodified CNT surface was highly toxic to cultured mammalian cells (“cultured” cells are grown outside of a living organism.) The CNTs were toxic to and could not be used in living systems. If scientists were to exploit the potential of CNTs, they had to address the toxicity issue. Learn More

Highlight: A Nanoscale Injector for Biological Cells

The prick of a flu shot may momentarily sting, but the penetration of the needle does no lasting harm to the skin. Likewise, the use of a nanoscale injector to introduce molecules into a biological cell does no harm to the cell. A team of Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley scientists have developed such a "nanoinjector" and successfully used it to introduce protein-coated quantum dots¹ into living human cells. The nanoinjector consists of a carbon nanotube² attached to the tip of an atomic force microscope (AFM). A special linker molecule connects the designated cargo to the nanotube, which safely delivers it to the inside of a cell within 15 to 30 minutes. Learn More

 

¹Quantum dots are a class of nanoparticle or nanocrystal that range in size from a single atom to 10 nanometers and are made of elements such as silicon. They are so small that the addition or subtraction of an electron changes its properties in predictable and useful ways. The presence or absence of electrons can be manipulated, thus conducting electricity. Quantum dots are currently used in the manufacture of LED displays, medical systems and solar cells.

²Carbon nanotubes are composed of sheets of carbon atoms that are rolled into tubes like newspapers. They are among the strongest fibers known.