Amino-Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes Act as a Carrier for Nerve Growth Factor: Study

There are growing studies in recent years concerning the use of different carrier materials for sustained-release and controlled-release of nerve growth factor in neuroscience research.

In a study by Prof. Gao Li and team from Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China, amino-functionalized ethylenediamine-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes were used to prepare carbon nanotubes-nerve growth factor complexes by non-covalent grafting.

Scientists are Now Able to Control Chirality in Carbon Nanotubes
Ability to synthesise single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with controlled chiralities is an ultimate goal in the field of carbon nanotube research.

Results showed that amino functionalization improved carbon nanotubes-nerve growth factor complex dispersibility, reduced their toxicity to PC12 cells, and promoted PC12 cell differentiation and chick embryo dorsal root ganglion. This study has been reported in the Neural Regeneration Research (Vol. 9, No. 3, 2014).

Source-Eurekalert

Toxic Concerns About Carbon Nanotubes
Due to the structural similarity of carbon nanotubes to asbestos, Safety fears have been alleviated following research showing that reducing their length removes their toxic properties.

Nanotubes can be Monitored Non-Invasively in Live Cells
A non-invasive method of monitoring both metallic and semiconducting nanotubes within cells and blood plasma has been developed by Purdue researchers.

Synthetic Brains Closer to Reality Thanks to Carbon Nanotubes
A carbon nanotube synapse circuit that functions like a neuron, the building block of the brain, has been developed by engineering researchers at the University of Southern California.