Current Nanoscience - Volume 4, Issue 4, 2008

In this paper we report a label-free biosensor able to detect 10 mg/L of human immunoglobulin G (HIgG) at physiological conditions. It is based on a field effect transistor in which a network of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) acts as the conductor channel. HIgG antibodies are linked to the CNTs in three steps. First, the polymer polyethyleneimine (PEI) covers the CNTs'surface preventing the nonspecific binding of proteins. Second, the HIg Read More

In this study the anodization performance of probe nanolithography on titanium is investigated with a noncontact atomic force microscope (AFM) with both conductive and carbon nanotube (CNT) probes. The topographies and heights of nanodots and nanolines produced at different voltages, hold times, pulse durations, and writing speeds are studied. The results show that under stationary anodization, the CNT probe is genera Read More

The aim of gene therapy is to transfer genetic material into cells to specifically alter their function by increasing or decreasing the expression of a desired gene. Following two decades of research, there are two major methods for the delivery of genetic material such as DNA or RNA into cells: viral and nonviral vectors. Though viral vectors are an efficient tool of transfection, their therapeutic use is compromised by serious safe Read More

A simple 4-variable-8-clause 3-SAT problem is solved using a DNA computing algorithm and experimental protocols amenable to automation. The proposed DNA computing algorithm can solve an n-variable m-clause SAT problem in m+1 steps including 9m operations, and the amount of time required increases proportional to m. Our algorithm does not first generate a large pool of all possible solutions, but rather starts from a Read More

Fabrication and remodeling of a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchically organized assembly out of nanofibers all major challenges in nanotechnology. Presented in this paper is a novel method of using various properties and behavior of water to fabricate 3D hierarchically organized electrospun nanofibrous structure. First, an electrospinning setup using a dynamic flow system is used to fabricate a 3D nanofibrous mesh through t Read More

Nanoparticles serve the need for advanced materials with specific chemical, physical, and electronic properties. These properties can be attained by manipulating the particle size. Consequently, size control has been recognized as a key factor for selecting a nanoparticle preparation technique. (w/o) Microemulsions, or reverse micelles, have been successfully used to prepare wide variety of nanoparticles with controlled sizes. St Read More

The aim of the present study was to investigate the nanoemulsion system for enhanced percutaneous penetration of domperidone. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed in order to optimize the surfactant, cosurfactant and surfactant: cosurfactant weight ratios (Smix). Nine nanoemulsion formulations were selected, characterized and their ex-vivo permeation studies using rat skin were performed. The nano Read More

A layered compound of zinc-aluminium layered double hydroxide (LDH) to be used as a host for a guest amino acid, glutamate was synthesized. Different parameters were used and optimized to form amino acid-intercalated pure phase materials. The resulting Bio-Inorganic Nanohybrid (BINH) was chosen for further characterization. BINH exhibits the glutamate to be in vertical or perpendicular orientation to the inorgani Read More

Uniform anatase-type ellipsoidal TiO2 nanoparticles have been prepared by phase transformation of a Ti(OH)4 gel matrix in the presence of sodium acetate as a shape controller. Sodium acetate was found to modify the TiO2 particle shape from cube to ellipsoid in the alkaline solution with the concentration varying from 0 to 0.50 M. A significant reduction of the formation rate of the anatase TiO2 was found due to the adsorptio Read More

In the present study we developed folate conjugated-PEGylated PLGA nanoparticles as an alternate carrier for Docetaxel (DTX) (antineoplastic agent). In order to investigate a more efficient delivery mode, the folate moiety was conjugated to PEGylated PLGA in two ways; firstly it was conjugated to PLGA-PEG diblock copolymer during the synthesis as PLGA-PEG-folate copolymer and secondly it was covalently attached Read More

Lethal photosensitisation of microbes forms the basis of a new approach to the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. In this study we report on the ability of gold nanoparticles to enhance the antimicrobial effectiveness of the photosensitiser toluidine blue O (TBO) when illuminated with white light. A suspension of Staphylococcus aureus (approximately 107-108 cfu/ml) was exposed to white light in the presence of eit Read More