title: Functionalized carbon nanotubes: biomedical applications.
abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are emerging as novel nanomaterials for various biomedical applications. CNTs can be used to deliver a variety of therapeutic agents, including biomolecules, to the target disease sites. In addition, their unparalleled optical and electrical properties make them excellent candidates for bioimaging and other biomedical applications. However, the high cytotoxicity of CNTs limits their use in humans and many biological systems. The biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity of CNTs are attributed to size, dose, duration, testing systems, and surface functionalization. The functionalization of CNTs improves their solubility and biocompatibility and alters their cellular interaction pathways, resulting in much-reduced cytotoxic effects. Functionalized CNTs are promising novel materials for a variety of biomedical applications. These potential applications are particularly enhanced by their ability to penetrate biological membranes with relatively low cytotoxicity. This review is directed towards the overview of CNTs and their functionalization for biomedical applications with minimal cytotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Center for NanoBiotechnology and Life Sciences Research, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL 36104, USA.
authors.forename: Sandhya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vardharajula
authors.forename: Sk Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Pooja M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Tiwari
authors.forename: Erdal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eroğlu
authors.forename: Komal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vig
authors.forename: Vida A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Dennis
authors.forename: Shree R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D053769:Nanocapsules / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D053769:Nanocapsules; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon
keywords: biomedical applications; carbon nanotubes; cytotoxicity; functionalization