Nanotubes for molecular transport

Fluorescent Cy3-labeled single strand DNA functionalized carbon nanotube.

Before NIR pulses Fluorescent labeled DNA (yellow) and cell nuclei (red)

After NIR pulses Fluorescent labeled DNA (green) and cell nuclei (red) Discover Magazine, November 2005

• Nanotubes with non-covalently bound DNA (left) taken into cell by endocytosis.
• Cargo stays on carrier and outside the nucleus (center).
• Pulsed excitation with 808 nm NIR light releases cargo inside cell.
• Released DNA is taken up by nucleus (right).

Nadine Wong Shi Kam, Michael O'Connell, Jeffrey A. Wisdom, and Hongjie Dai, "Carbon nanotubes as multifunctional biological transporters and near-infrared agents for selective cancer cell destruction," PNAS, 102, 11600-11605, (2005)