Carbon nanotube-liposome supramolecular nanotrains for intelligent molecular-transport systems

Nat Commun. 2012:3:1226. doi: 10.1038/ncomms2233.

Abstract

Biological network systems, such as inter- and intra-cellular signalling systems, are handled in a sophisticated manner by the transport of molecular information. Over the past few decades, there has been a growing interest in the development of synthetic molecular-transport systems. However, several key technologies have not been sufficiently realized to achieve optimum performance of transportation methods. Here we show that a new type of supramolecular system comprising of carbon nanotubes and liposomes enables the directional transport and controlled release of carrier molecules, and allows an enzymatic reaction at a desired area. The study highlights important progress that has been made towards the development of biomimetic molecular-transport systems and various lab-on-a-chip applications, such as medical diagnosis, sensors, bionic computers and artificial biological networks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biological Transport
  • Carrier Proteins / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Liposomes / chemistry*
  • Liposomes / ultrastructure
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / ultrastructure
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Liposomes
  • Nanotubes, Carbon