In an effort to enhance the effectiveness of drug delivery, scientists from Italy and France have successfully researched and tested a technique using carbon nanotubes to inject drugs directly into cells.The nanotubes are extremely small, made from multiple layers of carbon atoms arranged in a sheet-like structure, similar to graphite. “They can penetrate cell membranes like tiny needles without harming the cell,” said Alberto Bianco from the Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology in Strasbourg, France.
If proteins or nucleic acids attach to these nanotubes, they can also pass through the cell membrane. Bianco and his colleagues aim to use these nanotubes to deliver very small amounts of pharmaceutical molecules, such as antibiotics or cancer treatment drugs, directly into cells. This approach could significantly enhance the effectiveness of destroying pathogenic cells and improve treatment outcomes.
Additionally, scientists are interested in developing the nanotubes to have the capability to carry two different substances simultaneously. This innovation could facilitate combination therapies or aid in the research and discovery of new drugs.
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