Carbon nanotubes for organ regeneration: an electrifying performance

Tissue regeneration research is advancing rapidly, thanks to the innovation potential of stem cells and nanomaterials. In particular, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have shown an unmatched performance in conductive tissue regeneration. When grown in contact with CNTs, conducting cells become \u201celectrified\u201d, i.e., electrically more active, mature, and better interconnected. The challenges inherent in translating these concepts into 3D printing of whole organs for biomedical use are being addressed worldwide

The Glitter of Carbon Nanostructures in Hybrid/Composite Hydrogels for Medicinal Use

In recent years, we have witnessed to fast developments in the medicinal field of hydrogels containing various forms of integrated nanostructured carbon that adds interesting mechanical, thermal, and electronic properties. Besides key advances in tissue engineering (especially for conductive tissue, such as for the brain and the heart), there has been innovation also in the area of drug delivery on-demand, with engineered hydrogels capable of repeated response to light, thermal, or electric stimuli. This mini-review focusses on the most promising developments as applied to the gelation of protein/ peptide (including self-assembling amino acids and low-molecular-weight gelators), polysaccharide, and/or synthetic polymer components in medicine. The emerging field of graphene-only hydrogels is also briefly discussed, to give the reader a full flavor of the rising new paradigms in medicine that are made possible through the integration of nanostructured carbon (e.g., carbon nanotubes, nanohorns, nanodiamonds, fullerene, etc.). Nanocarbons are offering great opportunities to bring on a revolution in therapy that the modern medicinal chemist needs to master, to realise their full potential into powerful therapeutic solutions for the patient

Properties and behavior of carbon nanomaterials when interfacing neuronal cells: How far have we come?

In the last two decades, an increasing amount of studies have investigated the use of components based on carbon-(nano)materials in the engineering of neural interfaces, to improve the performance of current state of the art devices. Carbon is an extremely versatile element, characterized by a variety of allotropes and structures with different properties due to their sp, sp2 or sp3 hybridization. Among the diverse carbon nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes and graphene are naturally excellent electrical conductors, thus representing ideal candidates for interfacing electrical-excitable tissues. In addition, their dimensional range holds the potential to enhance the material interactions with bio-systems. Successful interfacing of the nervous system with devices that record or modulate neuronal electrical activity requires their stable electrical coupling with neurons. The efficiency of this coupling can be improved significantly by the use of conductive, ad hoc designed, nanomaterials. Here we review different carbon-based nanomaterials currently under investigation in basic and applied neuroscience, and the recent developments in this research field, with a special focus on in vitro studies

Photophysical properties of novel water soluble fullerene derivatives

6nonenoneS. FOLEY; S. BOSI; C. LARROQUE; PRATO M.; J.-M. JANOT; P. SETAS., Foley; Bosi, Susanna; C., Larroque; Prato, Maurizio; J. M., Janot; P., Set

Synthesis of 6-amino-6-deoxyhyaluronan as an intermediate for conjugation with carboxylate-containing compounds: application to hyaluronan-camptothecin conjugates

A novel methodology for making drug conjugates using hyaluronan as a carrier was developed. This strategy involves a completely regioselective two-step synthesis of 6-amino-6-deoxyhyaluronan, which is then easily functionalized with drugs through a suitable linker. The case of hyaluronan\u2013camptothecin conjugates is described, making use of a simple succinate linker. The antitumor activity of new hyaluronan derivatives prepared is at present under evaluation

Evaluation of concentration and dispersion of functionalized carbon nanotubes in aqueous media by means of Low Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Dispersions of functionalized carbon nanotubes (fx-CNTs) have been analyzed by means of Low Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance measurements (LF-NMR). This technique showed that the presence of the fx-CNTs strongly influences the structuring of the water molecules. Thereupon, the water transversal relaxation rate (r2) can be used to get information about the concentration of the CNTs in aqueous dispersion and their aggregation tendency. Finally, the effect of the addition of an anionic polyelectrolyte, namely alginate, on aqueous dispersion of CNTs was explored by using LF-NMR, which revealed different dependence of r2 from CNT concentration, depending on the type and charge of fx-CNTs