Biological Applications of Carbon Nanotubes

Besides those carbon nanotubes modified with biologically active compounds to be sensing devices as described in Section 3.6.2.2, there are further perspectives for a use of nanotubes in biology and medicine. They have been proposed as carrier for antigenes, as blocker for ion channels, biocatalyst, bioseparator, and for directed cell growth, for example, of neurons, and promising first results have already been presented indeed. 

Yet for the hme being, it is still unclear in how far functionalized carbon nanotubes are toxic. The pristine tubes possess a normegligible cytotoxicity, which is, among others, due to their insolubihty and the residual catalyst contained. First experiments with functionalized derivatives indicate, however, that at least this toxicity is markedly decreased once the surface has been modified. Anyhow, further studies are required here, and real applications in the medical sector are still a vision for the future. 

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