Interactions Between Carbon-Based Nanostructures and Biomembranes: Computer Simulations Study

摘要

16.1 Introduction The cell membranes were created by nature as efficient protective barriers. An important functional part of membrane is the phospholipid bilayer, the structure that protects an interior of the cell from the external factors like uncontrolled molecules transport from and into the cell [1-3]. Taking into account expansion of novel fields like nano-medicine, employing nanostructures to deliver cargo to cells via phospholipid bilayer is of considerable interests. Carbon nanotubes are recognized as a potential noninvasive vehicle because experimental and theoretical studies suggest that they are able to quite efficiently penetrate the membrane [4-9]. CNTs can be functionalized with different molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and drugs [10, 11]. The delivered substances can be attached to the outer surface of nanotube [12] as well as inner surface can be used [12-14]. Optical absorption in the near-infrared [15], photoluminescence [16], Raman scattering [17], photoacoustic [18], or echogenic properties [19] can be used to visualize the track of CNT in the biological milieu [20-23].