Fluorescence Labeling of Carbon Nanotubes and Visualization of a Nanotube−Protein Hybrid under Fluorescence Microscope

Abstract

Biological applications of carbon nanotubes have been hampered by the inability to visualize them using conventional optical microscope, which is the most common tool for the observation and measurement of biological processes. Recently, a number of fluorescence labeling methods for biomolecules and various fluorescence probes have been developed and widely utilized in biological fields. Therefore, labeling carbon nanotubes with such fluorophores under physiological conditions will be highly useful in their biological applications. In this Article, we present a method to fluorescently label nanotubes by combining a detergent and a fluorophore commonly used in biological experiments. Fluorophores carrying an amino group (Texas Red hydrazide or BODIPY FL-hydrazide) were covalently attached to the hydroxyl groups of Tween 20 using carbonyldiimidazole. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that nanotubes were efficiently solubilized and labeled by this fluorescently labeled detergent. By using this technique, we also demonstrated multicolor fluorescence imaging of a nanotube-protein hybrid.

Carbon nanotube-based antimicrobial biomaterials formed via layer-by-layer assembly with polypeptides

“…Certain surfactants are biocompatible, and may be employed in biological applications; Tween 20 is one example [57]. Yoshimura et al dispersed SWNT with Tween 20 to obtain a well-dispersed solution and to reduce nonspecific interactions of SWNT with other proteins or surfaces [58]. They observed a helical alignment of surfactant molecules along SWNT sidewalls.…”

A strategy for achieving low percolation and high electrical conductivity in melt-blended polycarbonate (PC)/multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites: Electrical and thermo-mechanical properties

“…In the matrix polymer, an infinite cluster of interconnected conductive network structure has been developed with the incorporation of CNTs throughout the matrix polymer which helps to increase the electrical, thermal and mechanical properties of the polymer nanocompos-ites. The polymer nanocomposites can be used in different field of applications such as organic LEDS [3], fuel cell membranes, photovoltaic devices [4], chemical sensors, transistors [5], catalysts [6], bioluminescent probes, high-performance and actuators [7] due its light weight and better processability. However, due to van der Waals interaction and lack of interfacial interactions among the CNTs, they are agglomerated in the host polymer and comparatively more amounts of CNTs are required to make the electrical conductive path in the polymer nanocomposites.…”

PLGA-Carbon Nanotube Conjugates for Intercellular Delivery of Caspase-3 into Osteosarcoma Cells

“…In addition, Zhang et al successfully transported telomerase inhibited small interference RNA into tumor cells and suppressed their growth[52]. However, researchers generally used protein fictionalization for stabilizing [53], labeling[54] and separating[55] CNTs rather than transporting functional protein to tune cellular behavior. Here, we were able to conjugate protein to the CNT-PLGA complex.…”