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Transfer of vertically aligned carbon nanofibers to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) while maintaining their alignment and
Ryan C Pearce1, Justin G Railsback, Bryan D Anderson
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State Universit y, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695, United States United States.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|January 4, 2013
Summary
Vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (VACNFs) were fabricated on aluminum alloy for cell membrane penetration. This novel method successfully delivered plasmid DNA into human brain microcapillary endothelial cells.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (VACNFs) offer unique properties for biomedical applications.
- Developing efficient methods for cell membrane penetration and intracellular delivery is crucial in biotechnology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize VACNFs on a novel substrate for enhanced cell penetration.
- To develop a method for transferring VACNF arrays for biological applications.
- To demonstrate the efficacy of VACNF arrays for gene delivery into endothelial cells.
Main Methods:
- VACNFs synthesized on Al 3003 alloy using direct current plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition with Ni catalyst.
- Incorporation of Si microparticles to create SiN(x) coating on VACNFs.
- Transfer of VACNF arrays to PDMS via spin coating and Al etching.
- Characterization using SEM, EDX, and fluorescence microscopy.
- Gene delivery into HBMEC cells using pVENUS-C1 plasmid loaded VACNF arrays.
Main Results:
- VACNF arrays with fibers exceeding 15 μm in length were successfully synthesized and transferred to PDMS.
- SiN(x) coatings were confirmed on the VACNFs.
- The free-standing VACNF array in PDMS demonstrated successful impalefection of HBMEC cells with plasmid DNA.
Conclusions:
- The developed method enables the fabrication of functional VACNF arrays suitable for cell membrane penetration.
- VACNF arrays represent a promising tool for efficient gene delivery into specific cell types like HBMEC.
- This approach holds potential for advancing in vitro cell studies and therapeutic applications.
