Carbon Nanotube Delivery of the GFP Gene into Mammalian Cells

Abstract

Special delivery. Amino-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (NH2-MWCNTs) were found to interact with negatively charged DNA and the cell membrane (see figure). Through this interaction, NH2-MWCNTs successfully delivered the GFP (green fluorescent protein) gene into mammalian cells without any cytotoxicity. The results show that NH2-MWCNT is a novel gene carrier and has potential application in gene delivery.