Method of drug delivery by carbon nanotube chitosan nanocomplexes

Abstract

Functionalized Single Wall Carbon Nanotube (SWCNT) complexed with nanochitosan for use in the delivery of bioaffecting substances and diagnostic applications. fSWCNT complexed with the chitosan NG042 were used for delivery of DNA-encoding EGFP reporter protein and peptide. The results demonstrate that shown CNT-chitosan hybrid nanoparticles exhibit significantly higher transfection efficiency in vivo than chitosan alone. Furthermore, the functionalized nanotubes were tested for peptide transfer into HEK293 cells. The results showed that the hybrid nanoparticles efficiently transferred peptides. Together, these results show that hybrid SWCNT-chitosan particles increase DNA and peptide transfer into cells.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for delivering a desired biomolecule to a subject comprising the steps of:
 providing a carbon nanotube chitosan complexed to a desired biomolecule, wherein the carbon nanotube chitosan further comprises:
 a carbon nanotube structure, wherein the carbon nanotube structure is multiwalled; 
   a chitosan coating complexed to the carbon nanotube structure; and   at least one biomolecule complexed to the chitosan coating; and   contacting a subject with the complexed carbon nanotube chitosan preparation.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one functional group bonded to at least one carbon in the carbon nanotube structure, wherein the function group is [(CH2)CO2H] x , COOH, ammonium, or lysine. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the desired biomolecule is selected from the group consisting of peptides, proteins, nucleic acids and drugs. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the complexed carbon nanotube chitosan is delivered to effect drug delivery to the subject. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the complexed carbon nanotube chitosan is delivered to effect diagnostics in the subject. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the complexed carbon nanotube chitosan is delivered as a biosensor for the subject. 
     
     
         7 . A composition comprising:
 at least one drug delivery molecule comprising:
 a functionalized carbon nanotube, wherein the functionalized nanotube further comprises:
 a carbon nanotube structure, wherein the carbon nanotube structure is multiwall carbon nanotube; 
 at least one functional group bonded to at least one carbon in the carbon nanotube structure, wherein the function group is [(CH2)CO2H] x , COOH, ammonium, or lysine; 
 a chitosan coating complexed to the carbon nanotube; and 
 at least one biomolecule complexed to the chitosan coating; 
 
   wherein the at least one drug delivery molecule is suspended in solution.   
     
     
         8 . The functionalized carbon nanotube according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one biomolecule is selected from the group consisting of peptides, proteins, nucleic acids and drugs.