M3i

@article{fabre_covalent_2008,

title = {Covalent assembly and micropatterning of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes to monolayer-modified Si(111) surfaces},

author = {Bruno Fabre and Fanny Hauquier and Cyril Herrier and Giorgia Pastorin and Wei Wu and Alberto Bianco and Maurizio Prato and Philippe Hapiot and Dodzi Zigah and Mauro Prasciolu and Lisa Vaccari},

doi = {10.1021/la800358w},

issn = {0743-7463},

year  = {2008},

date = {2008-06-01},

journal = {Langmuir: the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids},

volume = {24},

number = {13},

pages = {6595--6602},

abstract = {Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) covalently bound to monocrystalline p-type Si(111) surfaces have been prepared by attaching soluble amine-functionalized MWNTs onto a preassembled undecanoic acid monolayer using carbodiimide coupling. SEM analysis of these functionalized surfaces shows that the bound MWNTs are parallel to the surface rather than perpendicular. The voltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements reveal that the electron transfer at the MWNT-modified surface is faster than that observed at a MWNT-free alkyl monolayer. We have also demonstrated that it is possible to prepare MWNT micropatterns using this surface amidation reaction and a "reagentless" UV photolithography technique. Following this approach, MWNT patterns surrounded by n-dodecyl areas have been produced and the local electrochemical properties of these micropatterned surfaces have been examined by scanning electrochemical microscopy. In particular, it is demonstrated that the MWNT patterns allow a faster charge transfer which is consistent with the results obtained for the uniformly modified surfaces.},

keywords = {Atomic Force, carbon, Electrochemistry, Electron, I2CT, Microscopy, Nanotubes, scanning, Silicon, Surface Properties, Team-Bianco},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{shiao_fz2_2006,

title = {Fz2 and cdc42 mediate melanization and actin polymerization but are dispensable for Plasmodium killing in the mosquito midgut},

author = {Shin-Hong Shiao and Miranda M A Whitten and Daniel Zachary and Jules A Hoffmann and Elena A Levashina},

doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.0020133},

issn = {1553-7374},

year  = {2006},

date = {2006-12-01},

journal = {PLoS Pathog.},

volume = {2},

number = {12},

pages = {e133},

abstract = {The midgut epithelium of the mosquito malaria vector Anopheles is a hostile environment for Plasmodium, with most parasites succumbing to host defenses. This study addresses morphological and ultrastructural features associated with Plasmodium berghei ookinete invasion in Anopheles gambiae midguts to define the sites and possible mechanisms of parasite killing. We show by transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence that the majority of ookinetes are killed in the extracellular space. Dead or dying ookinetes are surrounded by a polymerized actin zone formed within the basal cytoplasm of adjacent host epithelial cells. In refractory strain mosquitoes, we found that formation of this zone is strongly linked to prophenoloxidase activation leading to melanization. Furthermore, we identify two factors controlling both phenomena: the transmembrane receptor frizzled-2 and the guanosine triphosphate-binding protein cell division cycle 42. However, the disruption of actin polymerization and melanization by double-stranded RNA inhibition did not affect ookinete survival. Our results separate the mechanisms of parasite killing from subsequent reactions manifested by actin polymerization and prophenoloxidase activation in the A. gambiae-P. berghei model. These latter processes are reminiscent of wound healing in other organisms, and we propose that they represent a form of wound-healing response directed towards a moribund ookinete, which is perceived as damaged tissue.},

keywords = {Actins, Animals, Anopheles, Carrier Proteins, cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein, Double-Stranded, Electron, Frizzled Receptors, Gastrointestinal Tract, hoffmann, Host-Parasite Interactions, Immunity, Innate, Insect Vectors, Intestinal Mucosa, M3i, Melanins, Microarray Analysis, Microscopy, Plasmodium berghei, Polymers, Protozoan, RNA, scanning, telomerase},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{bianco_applications_2005,

title = {Applications of carbon nanotubes in drug delivery},

author = {Alberto Bianco and Kostas Kostarelos and Maurizio Prato},

doi = {10.1016/j.cbpa.2005.10.005},

issn = {1367-5931},

year  = {2005},

date = {2005-12-01},

journal = {Current Opinion in Chemical Biology},

volume = {9},

number = {6},

pages = {674--679},

abstract = {The development of new and efficient drug delivery systems is of fundamental importance to improve the pharmacological profiles of many classes of therapeutic molecules. Many different types of drug delivery systems are currently available. Within the family of nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes (CNT) have emerged as a new alternative and efficient tool for transporting and translocating therapeutic molecules. CNT can be functionalised with bioactive peptides, proteins, nucleic acids and drugs, and used to deliver their cargos to cells and organs. Because functionalised CNT display low toxicity and are not immunogenic, such systems hold great potential in the field of nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine.},

keywords = {Biological, carbon, Drug Delivery Systems, Electron, HeLa Cells, Humans, I2CT, Microscopy, Models, Nanotubes, Nucleic Acids, Peptides, scanning, Team-Bianco},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{singh_binding_2005,

title = {Binding and condensation of plasmid DNA onto functionalized carbon nanotubes: toward the construction of nanotube-based gene delivery vectors},

author = {Ravi Singh and Davide Pantarotto and David McCarthy and Olivier Chaloin and Johan Hoebeke and Charalambos D Partidos and Jean-Paul Briand and Maurizio Prato and Alberto Bianco and Kostas Kostarelos},

doi = {10.1021/ja0441561},

issn = {0002-7863},

year  = {2005},

date = {2005-03-01},

journal = {Journal of the American Chemical Society},

volume = {127},

number = {12},

pages = {4388--4396},

abstract = {Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) constitute a class of nanomaterials that possess characteristics suitable for a variety of possible applications. Their compatibility with aqueous environments has been made possible by the chemical functionalization of their surface, allowing for exploration of their interactions with biological components including mammalian cells. Functionalized CNTs (f-CNTs) are being intensively explored in advanced biotechnological applications ranging from molecular biosensors to cellular growth substrates. We have been exploring the potential of f-CNTs as delivery vehicles of biologically active molecules in view of possible biomedical applications, including vaccination and gene delivery. Recently we reported the capability of ammonium-functionalized single-walled CNTs to penetrate human and murine cells and facilitate the delivery of plasmid DNA leading to expression of marker genes. To optimize f-CNTs as gene delivery vehicles, it is essential to characterize their interactions with DNA. In the present report, we study the interactions of three types of f-CNTs, ammonium-functionalized single-walled and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (SWNT-NH3+; MWNT-NH3+), and lysine-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT-Lys-NH3+), with plasmid DNA. Nanotube-DNA complexes were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, surface plasmon resonance, PicoGreen dye exclusion, and agarose gel shift assay. The results indicate that all three types of cationic carbon nanotubes are able to condense DNA to varying degrees, indicating that both nanotube surface area and charge density are critical parameters that determine the interaction and electrostatic complex formation between f-CNTs with DNA. All three different f-CNT types in this study exhibited upregulation of marker gene expression over naked DNA using a mammalian (human) cell line. Differences in the levels of gene expression were correlated with the structural and biophysical data obtained for the f-CNT:DNA complexes to suggest that large surface area leading to very efficient DNA condensation is not necessary for effective gene transfer. However, it will require further investigation to determine whether the degree of binding and tight association between DNA and nanotubes is a desirable trait to increase gene expression efficiency in vitro or in vivo. This study constitutes the first thorough investigation into the physicochemical interactions between cationic functionalized carbon nanotubes and DNA toward construction of carbon nanotube-based gene transfer vector systems.},

keywords = {carbon, Cations, DNA, Electron, Gene Transfer Techniques, Genetic Vectors, I2CT, Lysine, Microscopy, Nanotubes, Plasmids, Quaternary Ammonium Compounds, scanning, Surface Plasmon Resonance, Team-Bianco},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}