Focused Session Q-5
Biomedical Applications of Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene:
Opportunities and Challenges
Programme Chair:
Maurizio PRATO, University of Trieste, Italy
Members:
Laura BALLERINI, University of Trieste, Italy
Vikas BERRY, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
Alberto BIANCO, CNRS-IBMC, France
Vincent CASTRANOVA, West Virginia University, USA
Lucia G. DELOGU, University of Sassari, Italy
Bengt FADEEL, Karolinska Institute, Sweden
Kostas KOSTARELOS, University of Manchester, UK
Michael R. McDEVITT, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA
Vladimir PARPURA, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
Giorgia PASTORIN, National University Singapore, Singapore
James F. RUSLING, University of Connecticut, USA
David A. SCHEINBERG, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA
Balaji SITHARAMAN, Stony Brook University, USA
Michael S. STRANO, MIT, USA
Ester VAZQUEZ FERNANDEZ-PACHECO, Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Spain
Masako YUDASAKA, AIST, Japan
Maurizio PRATO, University of Trieste, Italy
Members:
Laura BALLERINI, University of Trieste, Italy
Vikas BERRY, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
Alberto BIANCO, CNRS-IBMC, France
Vincent CASTRANOVA, West Virginia University, USA
Lucia G. DELOGU, University of Sassari, Italy
Bengt FADEEL, Karolinska Institute, Sweden
Kostas KOSTARELOS, University of Manchester, UK
Michael R. McDEVITT, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA
Vladimir PARPURA, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
Giorgia PASTORIN, National University Singapore, Singapore
James F. RUSLING, University of Connecticut, USA
David A. SCHEINBERG, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, USA
Balaji SITHARAMAN, Stony Brook University, USA
Michael S. STRANO, MIT, USA
Ester VAZQUEZ FERNANDEZ-PACHECO, Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Spain
Masako YUDASAKA, AIST, Japan
Adrian BACHTOLD, The Institute of Photonic Sciences, ICFO, Spain
Cyrill BUSSY, University of Manchester, UK
Gianaurelio CUNIBERTI, Dresden University of Technology, Germany
Michael HOLZINGER, University Joseph Fourier - Grenoble 1, France
Cecilia MENARD-MOYON, CNRS, France
Eijiro MIYAKO, AIST, Japan
Giorgia PASTORIN, National University Singapore, Singapore
Anna SHVEDOVA, West Virginia University, USA
Sirinrath SIRIVISOOT, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand
Mathias STEINER, IBM Research, Brazil
Ester VAZQUEZ FERNANDEZ-PACHECO, Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Spain
Amaia ZURUTUZA, Graphenea, Spain
Cyrill BUSSY, University of Manchester, UK
Gianaurelio CUNIBERTI, Dresden University of Technology, Germany
Michael HOLZINGER, University Joseph Fourier - Grenoble 1, France
Cecilia MENARD-MOYON, CNRS, France
Eijiro MIYAKO, AIST, Japan
Giorgia PASTORIN, National University Singapore, Singapore
Anna SHVEDOVA, West Virginia University, USA
Sirinrath SIRIVISOOT, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand
Mathias STEINER, IBM Research, Brazil
Ester VAZQUEZ FERNANDEZ-PACHECO, Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Spain
Amaia ZURUTUZA, Graphenea, Spain
The intensive research being carried out as from several years on the biomedical applications of carbon nanotubes (CNTs, MVCNTs) and graphene and its derivatives (G, GO, GQDs), is based on the several fascinating properties of these materials such as high specific surface area, exceptional electronic, optical, thermal and mechanical properties, intrinsic biocompatibility, scalable production and affordable costs. These combined with the relevant propensity of nanotubes and graphene to be biologically/chemically functionalized are directing remarkable interest to a wide range of potential biomedical uses, from smart drug/gene delivery, tumor targeting, bioimaging, biosensing, biocompatible scaffolds for cell culture, to implantable neural interfaces, antibacterial materials and prospective multifunctional/ multimodal theranostic platforms. However, in spite of the encouraging progress so far achieved, there exist significant challenges to be faced with before acceptable protocols for effective introduction of carbon nanotubes and graphene materials and devices in clinical practice can be proposed such as: the development of more effective and reproducible nanomaterials achievable by further refining the synthesis techniques; designing novel approaches to biological and chemical functionalization and to micro/nanoelectronic integration; upgrading the therapeutic and diagnostic potential in the specific application fields; gaining a deeper insight of the interactions of carbon nanoparticles with cells and tissues as well as a proper understanding of the safety concerns posed by the toxicological risks related to the in vivo use of carbon nanoparticles.
Scope of this Focused Session is to spotlight the present state-of-the-art and stimulate an open discussion among specialists for identifying viable solutions to the several problems till open for a widespread use of CNTs and graphene in nanomedicine.
Scope of this Focused Session is to spotlight the present state-of-the-art and stimulate an open discussion among specialists for identifying viable solutions to the several problems till open for a widespread use of CNTs and graphene in nanomedicine.
Abstracts are solicited in the following and related areas:
Novel approaches to synthesis and functionalization of CNTs/G and their derivatives
CNTs/G in drug delivery and targeting
CNTs/G as biosensors
CNTs/G in bio imaging
CNTs/G in tissue engineering
CNTs/G in implantable neural interfaces
In-vitro and animal experiments; long-term reliability, biocompatibility and toxicity issues