Nano Sponges for Drug Delivery and Medicinal Applications

Tour, James M.; Lucente-Schultz, Rebecca; Leonard, Ashley; Kosynkin, Dimitry V.; Price, Brandi Katherine; Hudson, Jared L.; Conyers, Jodie L., Jr.; Moore, Valerie C.; Casscells, S. Ward; Myers, Jeffrey N.; Milas, Zvonimir L.; Milas, Luka; Mason, Kathy A.

This invention is a means of delivering a drug, or payload, to cells using non-covalent associations of the payload with nano-engineered scaffolds; specifically, functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and their derivatives where the payload is effectively sequestered by the nanotube's addends and then delivered to the site (often interior of a cell) of interest. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and other water-soluble organic molecules have been shown to greatly enhance the solubility of SWNTs in water. PEG groups and other water-solubilizing addends can act to sequester (sponge) molecules and deliver them into cells. Using PEG that, when attached to the SWNTs, the SWNT/PEG matrix will enter cells has been demonstrated. This was visualized by the addition of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) to the SWNT/PEG matrix. Control studies showed that both FITC alone and FITC/PEG did not enter the cells. These observations suggest that the FITC is highly associated with the SWNT/PEG matrix that brings the FITC into the cells, allowing visualization of SWNTs in cells. The FITC is not covalently attached, because extended dialysis in hot DMF will remove all fluorescence quickly (one week). However, prolonged dialysis in water (1-2 months) will only slowly diminish the fluorescence. This demonstrates that the SWNT/PEG matrix solubilizes the FITC by sequestering it from the surrounding water and into the more solubilizing organic environment of the SWNT/PEG matrix of this type. This can be extended for the sequestering of other molecules such as drugs with PEG and other surfactants.

Document ID

20120007638

Acquisition Source

Johnson Space Center

Document Type

Other - NASA Tech Brief

External Source(s)

http://www.techbriefs.com/component/content/article/13047

Authors

Date Acquired

August 25, 2013

Publication Date

March 1, 2012

Publication Information

Publication: NASA Tech Briefs, March 2012

Subject Category

Report/Patent Number

Distribution Limits

Public

Public Use Permitted.

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