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Carbon Nanotubes for Biomedical Applications pp 169–182Cite as

Uptake, Intracellular Localization and Biodistribution of Carbon Nanotubes

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Part of the book series: Carbon Nanostructures ((CARBON))

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exhibit unique size, shape and physical properties, which make them promising candidates for biomedical applications. In particular, carbon nanotubes have been intensively studied for conjugation with pre-existing therapeutic agents for more effective targeting, as a result of their ability to cross cell membranes. However, to utilise them effectively in biological systems it is extremely important to understand how they behave at the cellular level and their distribution in vivo. Additionally, in order to consider carbon nanotubes as candidate delivery systems of therapeutic agents it is important to ascertain their fate in vivo, but also take into account many factors, such as solubility, stability and clearance. Issues surrounding their short term and long term safety are currently the subject of toxicology testing. Herein, we propose to summarize the main findings on the uptake, trafficking and biodistribution of carbon nanotubes, with special focus on functionalized carbon nanotubes for delivery of therapeutic agents.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK

    V. Neves, H. M. Coley, J. McFadden & S. R. P. Silva

Authors
  1. V. Neves
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  2. H. M. Coley
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  3. J. McFadden
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  4. S. R. P. Silva
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Correspondence to V. Neves .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Kirchhoff Institute for Physics, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 227, Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Rüdiger Klingeler

  2. Department of Pharmacology, Oxford University, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK

    Robert B. Sim

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© 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Neves, V., Coley, H.M., McFadden, J., Silva, S.R.P. (2011). Uptake, Intracellular Localization and Biodistribution of Carbon Nanotubes. In: Klingeler, R., Sim, R. (eds) Carbon Nanotubes for Biomedical Applications. Carbon Nanostructures. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-14802-6_9

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