Carbon nanotube probes for single-cell experimentation and assays

Abstract

Integrating nanotechnology with experimental biology is paramount to advancing fundamental biological science and technology, and, therefore, of high current interest and importance. In this article, we report on a new possibility of utilizing carbon nanotube probes assembled by a modified dielectrophoretic based technique for single-cell experimentation and delivery. The modified approach permits highly reproducible construction of water-stable, highly-aligned, and electrically-conductive probes several hundred microns in length, which hold a great promise for enhancing previously developed molecular-scale intracellular experimental techniques. The results of this work, in particular, indicate that the minimally invasive nanotube probes could be advantageous for studies involving permeabilization and subsequent desorption of molecules into a cell's interior, thereby obviating permeabilization and diffusion across membranes.

Gold Nanostructures Prepared on Solid Surface

“…Of the many elements and compounds from which nanowires may be made, gold is technologically important for its low electrical resistivity (2.21 Ω cm) [27], its inertness to attack by air and its resistance to sulfur-based tarnishing [28]. Additionally, gold is more biocompatible than most metals, rendering it suitable for implantation [29,30] or electrical interfacing with cells [31,32] and tissues in nanobiological applications [33][34][35].…”

Ultra-sharp metal and nanotube-based probes for applications in scanning microscopy and neural recording

“…The nanotube fibril probes are conductive, do not oxidize, and are bio-compatible. [18][19][20] Preliminary tests of the nanotube fibril probes prepared for neural recording (sides electrically isolated from environment) had shown in vitro tip resistance up to two orders of magnitude lower than conventional electrophysiology electrodes, as will be presented elsewhere. Although the conducting interface area is slightly larger for the fibril probes compared to conventional glass pipettes, the huge difference in resistance suggests significantly higher conversion of ionic conduction to electronic conduction on the nanotube fibril probes' end compared to conventional glass pipettes.…”

Functionalised ZnO-nanorod-based selective electrochemical sensor for intracellular glucose

“…Different biosensor experimental setups have been used for the real-time detection, diagnosis, and classification of different forms of biochemical reactions within single cells in order to understand cellular behaviour. This work offers enormous potential to cellular biology research (Vo-Dinh et al, 2006;Koukin et al, 2005;Fasching et al, 2005;Firtel et al, 2004). In most of these biosensors, indirect methods or large experimental setups are required.…”