Development of bio-interface device by carbon nanotube (CNTs)-liposomes

抄録

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are hollow cylindrical carbon allotropes. Recently, it has been reported that CNTs transport ions and small molecules, which is similar to the function of natural transmembrane proteins. Moreover, compared with transmembrane proteins, they are more resistant to chemical degradation. Thus, CNTs are considered to be ideal materials for bio-interface applications based on substances transportation. We propose to insert CNTs into spherical artificial biomembranes (liposomes) and use them as a bio-interface device. By contacting the CNTs- liposomes with the cell body, the CNTs can bypass liposomes and the cell. It may be possible to use for drug delivery systems by encapsulating the drug inside the liposome. In this study, we confirm the ability of CNTs to transport calcium ions across two liposomes by calcium-sensitive fluorescent probes. Our results show that the CNTs-liposomes have great potential to be high-performance bio-interface device.