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Updated: May 14, 2026
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Localization and Relative Quantification of Carbon Nanotubes in Cells with Multispectral Imaging Flow Cytometry
Published on: December 12, 2013
[Effect of nanocarbon sizes on the cellular uptake]
Minfang Zhang1, Masako Yudasaka
1National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Yakugaku Zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
|February 2, 2013
Summary
Chemical modification of single-walled carbon nanohorns (CNHs) controls their cellular uptake. Downsizing CNH aggregates further enhances this control, highlighting potential for targeted nanomedicine delivery.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterials science
- Biomedical engineering
- Toxicology
Context:
- Single-walled carbon nanohorns (CNHs) are nanomaterials with potential medical applications due to low toxicity.
- CNHs are pseudo-tubules with diameters of 2-5 nm and lengths of 40-50 nm, aggregating into ~100 nm spheres.
- Controlling cellular uptake is crucial for effective nanomedicine delivery.
Purpose:
- To investigate the influence of surface chemical functionalization on CNH cellular uptake.
- To determine if aggregate size affects the controllability of CNH cellular uptake.
- To explore CNHs as a platform for targeted drug delivery systems.
Summary:
- Cellular uptake of single-walled carbon nanohorns (CNHs) can be modulated through chemical functionalization of their surface.
- Reducing the size of CNH aggregates significantly improves the controllability of cellular uptake.
- These findings demonstrate a method for tailoring CNHs for specific biological interactions.
Impact:
- Provides a strategy for enhancing the efficacy of nanomedicines based on CNHs.
- Opens avenues for developing advanced targeted delivery systems in theranostics.
- Advances the understanding of nanomaterial-cell interactions for biomedical applications.
