Abstract
Whereas several biomedical applications of carbon nanotubes have been proposed, the use of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) in this field has been largely unexplored despite their unique and potentially useful properties. Our group has recently initiated an experimental program aimed at the exploration of the interactions between BNNTs and living cells. In the present paper, we report on the magnetic properties of BNNTs containing Fe catalysts which confirm the feasibility for their use as nanovectors for targeted drug delivery. The magnetisation curves of BNNTs characterised by the present study are typical of superparamagnetic materials with important parameters, including magnetic permeability and magnetic momentum, derived by employing Langevin theory. In-vitro tests have demonstrated the feasibility for influencing the uptake of BNNTs by living cells by exposure to an external magnetic source. A finite element method analysis devised to predict this effect produced predictive data with close agreement with the experimental observations.
Keywords: Boron nitride nanotubes, magnetism, targeted drug delivery, modelling of uptake kinetics
Current Nanoscience
Title: Boron Nitride Nanotubes: A Novel Vector for Targeted Magnetic Drug Delivery
Volume: 5 Issue: 1
Author(s): Gianni Ciofani, Vittoria Raffa, Jun Yu, Ying Chen, Yosuke Obata, Shinji Takeoka, Arianna Menciassi and Alfred Cuschieri
Affiliation:
Keywords: Boron nitride nanotubes, magnetism, targeted drug delivery, modelling of uptake kinetics
Abstract: Whereas several biomedical applications of carbon nanotubes have been proposed, the use of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) in this field has been largely unexplored despite their unique and potentially useful properties. Our group has recently initiated an experimental program aimed at the exploration of the interactions between BNNTs and living cells. In the present paper, we report on the magnetic properties of BNNTs containing Fe catalysts which confirm the feasibility for their use as nanovectors for targeted drug delivery. The magnetisation curves of BNNTs characterised by the present study are typical of superparamagnetic materials with important parameters, including magnetic permeability and magnetic momentum, derived by employing Langevin theory. In-vitro tests have demonstrated the feasibility for influencing the uptake of BNNTs by living cells by exposure to an external magnetic source. A finite element method analysis devised to predict this effect produced predictive data with close agreement with the experimental observations.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Ciofani Gianni, Raffa Vittoria, Yu Jun, Chen Ying, Obata Yosuke, Takeoka Shinji, Menciassi Arianna and Cuschieri Alfred, Boron Nitride Nanotubes: A Novel Vector for Targeted Magnetic Drug Delivery, Current Nanoscience 2009; 5 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157341309787314557
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157341309787314557 |
Print ISSN 1573-4137 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6786 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Role of nanomaterials in fabrication of coatings, Machining and Joining
The application of nanoscience has brought about a revolution in the field of mechanical engineering by providing novel materials, boosting manufacturing processes, and generating cutting-edge products. The purpose of this special issue is to investigate the enormous impact that nanoscience has had on mechanical engineering, with a particular emphasis on ...read more
Advanced Inorganic Nanocomposites and Their Emerging Applications
This special issue collection will highlight developments on the recent trends about the synthesis of metal oxides, nanoclusters, biomaterials, 2D nanomaterials, nanocrystals, nanocomposites, etc. and their applications in electrochemical systems, tissue regeneration, energy storage and harvesting, sensors, etc. The novelty of the methods in the chemical synthesis and their characterizations, ...read more
Applicability of Nanotechnology for Performance Enhancement of Clean Energy Technologies
Population growth, industrialization, and improvement in living quality would lead to further increase in energy demand in near future. Regarding the disadvantages of fossil fuels such as fluctuations in their price, high emissions of greenhouse gases and restriction of their sources, it is crucial to use and exploit alternative energy ...read more
Graphene and 2D Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion
This thematic issue will discuss the recent advances in graphene-based nanomaterials for different energy technologies. Graphene possesses a high surface area, and stable structure and exhibits many interesting electronic, optical, and mechanical properties due to its 2D crystal structure. Graphene is of both fundamental interest and suitable for a wide ...read more
Related Journals
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Substance P and Alzheimer’s Disease: Emerging Novel Roles
Current Alzheimer Research LGI1 Affects Survival of Neuroblastoma Cells by Inhibiting Signalling through Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Recent Evidence of the Regulatory Role of PPARs in Neural Stem Cells and Their Underlying Mechanisms for Neuroprotective Effects
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Nanotechnology for Alzheimer Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Therapeutic Potential of microRNA Against Th2-associated Immune Disorders
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Ketamine Induces Toxicity in Human Neurons Differentiated from Embryonic Stem Cells via Mitochondrial Apoptosis Pathway
Current Drug Safety Vitamin D Analogs as Anti-Carcinogenic Agents
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry The Role of IGF-1 Receptor and Insulin Receptor Signaling for the Pathogenesis of Alzheimers Disease: From Model Organisms to Human Disease
Current Alzheimer Research HIV-1, Methamphetamine and Astrocyte Glutamate Regulation: Combined Excitotoxic Implications for Neuro-AIDS
Current HIV Research A Functional Scaffold in Marine Alkaloid: An Anticancer Moiety for Human
Current Medicinal Chemistry Cultured Adult Animal Neurons and Schwann Cells Give Us New Insights into Diabetic Neuropathy
Current Diabetes Reviews JNK Signalling: A Possible Target to Prevent Neurodegeneration
Current Pharmaceutical Design Emerging Potential of Naturally Occurring Autophagy Modulators Against Neurodegeneration
Current Pharmaceutical Design Inhibitors of the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System and the Cell Death Machinery: How Many Pathways are Activated?
Current Molecular Pharmacology Yeast as a Powerful Model System for the Study of Apoptosis Regulation by Protein Kinase C Isoforms
Current Pharmaceutical Design Insights on the Structure of Amyloid Fibrils from Site-Directed Mutagenesis
Protein & Peptide Letters Macrocyclic Proteasome Inhibitors
Current Medicinal Chemistry Novel Drug Delivery Systems for Releasing Growth Factors to the CNS: Focus on Alzheimer`s and Parkinson`s Diseases
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Critical Enzymes Involved in Endocannabinoid Metabolism
Protein & Peptide Letters Neuronal and Vascular Oxidative Stress in Alzheimers Disease
Current Neuropharmacology