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Carbon-based nanoprobes for cell biology

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Abstract

Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes, many researchers have attempted to utilize carbon nanotubes and nanopipes as nanoprobes, in particular for cell probing. These attempts have proved challenging due to the difficulty of interfacing the nanostructures with macroscopic handles. Recently, we developed a new manufacturing technique that allows us to fabricate integrated carbon nanopipettes (CNPs) that consist of a macroscopic glass handle with a carbon nanopipe at its tip. The manufacturing process does not require any assembly. The CNPs can function as multifunctional probes by allowing liquid flow through their hollow lumen and facilitating electrical measurements through their conductive carbon lining. Furthermore, the carbon nanopipe’s surface can be functionalized with proteins and oligonucleotides to facilitate the immobilization of macromolecules. In this review article, we recount the development of nanoprobes, discuss how prior art motivated the development of CNPs, and summarize the utilization of CNPs as cellular probes, in particular for injecting reagents into cells and for monitoring cell membrane potential. We also comment on the characteristics of liquid flow through the carbon pipes that form the CNPs’ tips.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by the Nanotechnology Institute, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, and the NSF-NIRT (CBET 0609062).

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  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6315, USA

    Michael G. Schrlau & Haim H. Bau

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  1. Michael G. Schrlau
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  2. Haim H. Bau
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Correspondence to Haim H. Bau.

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Schrlau, M.G., Bau, H.H. Carbon-based nanoprobes for cell biology. Microfluid Nanofluid 7, 439 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-009-0458-x

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