1st Edition

Carbon Nanotubes From Bench Chemistry to Promising Biomedical Applications

Edited By Giorgia Pastorin Copyright 2011
    156 Pages 83 Color & 56 B/W Illustrations
    by Jenny Stanford Publishing

    This book represents a critical evaluation of the most recent discoveries about carbon nanotubes and includes a cautious description of their impact on personal health and environmental pollution. It also offers an overview of the main research groups around the world which have been focusing their efforts on the exploitation of this intriguing material, with the purpose of inspiring young scientists to follow their pathway.

    Contributors
    Preface
    Stabilisation of Carbon Nanotube Suspensions Dimitrios G. Fatouros, Marta Roldob and Susanna M. van der Merwe
    Introduction
    Functionalised CNTs for Drug Delivery
    Surface-Active Agents in Stabilising CNT Suspensions
    Stabilisation of Aqueous Suspensions of Carbon Nanotubes by Self-Assembling Block Copolymers
    Stabilisation of Aqueous Suspensions of Carbon Nanotubes by Chitosan and its Derivatives
    Biomedical Applications I: Delivery of Drugs Giampiero Spalluto, Stephanie Federico, Barbara Cacciari, Alberto Bianco, Siew Lee Cheong and Maurizio Prato
    Introduction
    Non-Covalent Functionalisation on the External Walls
    "Defect" Functionalisation at the Tips and Sidewalls
    Covalent Functionalisation on the External Sidewalls
    Encapsulation Inside CNTs
    Conclusions and Perspectives
    Biomedical Applications II: In_luence of Carbon Nanotubes in Cancer Therapy Chiara Fabbro, Francesca Maria Toma and Tatiana Da Ros
    Importance of Nanotechnology in Cancer Therapy
    Carbon Nanotubes: A Brief Overview
    Carbon Nanotubes as Drug Vectors in Cancer Treatment
    Delivery of Oligonucleotides Mediated by Carbon Nanotubes
    Carbon Nanotubes in Radiotherapy
    Carbon Nanotubes in Thermal Ablation
    Biosensors Based on Carbon Nanotubes
    Conclusions
    Biomedical Applications III: Delivery of Immunostimulants and Vaccines Li Jian, Gopalakrishnan Venkatesan and Giorgia Pastorin
    Introduction to the Immune System
    Immunogenic Response of Peptide Antigens Conjugated to Functionalised CNTs
    Interaction of Functionalised CNTs with CPG Motifs and Their Immunostimulatory Activity
    Immunogenicity of Carbon Nanotubes
    Conclusions
    Biomedical Applications IV: Carbon Nanotube–Nucleic Acid Complexes for Biosensors, Gene Delivery and Selective Cancer Therapy Venkata Sudheer Makam, Jason Teng Cang-Rong, Sia Lee Yoong and Giorgia Pastorin
    Introduction
    Interaction of CNTs with Nucleic Acids
    Sensors and Nanocomposites
    CNT–Nucleic Acid Complexes for Gene Delivery and Selective Cancer Treatment
    Biomedical Applications V: In_luence of Carbon Nanotubes in Neuronal Living Networks Cecilia Menard-Moyon
    Introduction
    Effects of Carbon Nanotubes on Neuronal Cells’ Adhesion, Growth, Morphology and Differentiation
    Electrical Stimulation of Neuronal Cells Grown on Carbon Nanotube-Based Substrates
    Investigation of the Mechanisms of the Electrical Interactions Between CNTs and Neurons
    Conclusions and Perspectives
    Biomedical Applications VI: Carbon Nanotubes as Biosensing and Bio-interfacial Materials Yupeng Ren
    Introduction
    Biosensor
    Bio-interface
    Conclusions
    Toxicity of Carbon Nanotubes Tapas Ranjan Nayak and Giorgia Pastorin
    Introduction
    Parameters Responsible for the Toxicity of CNTs
    Environmental Exposure
    Conclusion
    Overview on the Major Research Activities on Carbon Nanotubes being done in America, Europe and Asia Cecilia Menard-Moyon and Giorgia Pastorin
    Introduction
    America
    Europe
    Asia
    Index

    Biography

    Giorgia Pastorin received her MSc (110/110 cum laude) in pharmaceutical and chemistry technologies in 2000 and her PhD in 2004 from the University of Trieste, Italy. She then moved to France for two years of postdoctoral fellowship at the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Strasbourg, where she acquired some skills in drug delivery under the supervision of Dr Alberto Bianco. She joined the National University of Singapore in June 2006 as assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacy.

    "This unique book comes at the right time when the scientific community and numerous organizations are divided on the potential applicability of carbon nanotubes. A concentrate of the most recent scientific discoveries written by highly recognized authors in the field. An excellent reference for inspiring scientists and students."
    —Dr. Sylviane Muller, CNRS, France

    "This book represents an extensive collection of the most updated studies that encourage the use of carbonbased nanostructures for biomedical applications. At the same time, the reader is cautioned about the potentially hazardous factors and the mischievous surprises associated with carbon nanotubes. This is a very interesting book, especially for young scientists seeking inspiration from the most fascinating discoveries in the field of nanotubes reported by selected research groups all over the world!"
    —Prof. Hans E. Junginger, Naresuan University, Thailand

    "This book offers the perspectives of both an enthusiastic acceptance of carbon nanotubes for biomedical applications and also the distrustful vision due to potential hazardous consequences deriving from their unpredictable effects. Much remains to be learned about this nanomaterial before its most effective applications and preventions of any untoward effect."
    —Prof. Dusica Maysinger, McGill University, Canada