Carbon nanotube injectors probe living cells without damage

June 21, 2007 | Source: Physorg.com

In order to investigate the processes that go on inside a single human cell–or even specific subcellular compartments–researchers need a device that is small and controlled enough to pass through the delicate cell membrane. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), with their needle-like geometry, high elasticity and strength, have recently shown that they’re up to the task.

The CNT nanoinjector tip, conjugated with streptavidin-coated quantum dots. Right: Quantum dots are shown in red after being injected into a living human HeLa cell (the dark shape is the AFM cantilever).

The CNT nanoinjector tip, conjugated with streptavidin-coated quantum dots. Right: Quantum dots are shown in red after being injected into a living human HeLa cell (the dark shape is the AFM cantilever).