Boron nitride nanotubes are noncytotoxic and can be functionalized for interaction with proteins and cells

Xing Chen; Peng Wu; Michael Rousseas; David Okawa; Zev Gartner; Alex Zettl; Carolyn R Bertozzi

doi:10.1021/ja807334b

Boron nitride nanotubes are noncytotoxic and can be functionalized for interaction with proteins and cells

J Am Chem Soc. 2009 Jan 28;131(3):890-1. doi: 10.1021/ja807334b.

Authors

Xing Chen¹, Peng Wu, Michael Rousseas, David Okawa, Zev Gartner, Alex Zettl, Carolyn R Bertozzi

Affiliation

¹ Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.

Abstract

We report the discovery that boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), isosteres of CNTs with unique physical properties, are inherently noncytotoxic. Furthermore, we developed a biomemetic coating strategy to interface BNNTs with proteins and cells. Finally, we showed that BNNTs can deliver DNA oligomers to the interior of cells with no apparent toxicity. This work suggests that BNNTs may be superior to CNTs for use as biological probes and in biomaterials.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Boron Compounds / chemistry*
Boron Compounds / toxicity
Cell Line
Cell Proliferation / drug effects
Humans
Nanotubes / chemistry*
Proteins / chemistry*

Substances

Boron Compounds
Proteins
boron nitride

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding