Fullerenes and their potential in nanomedicine
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Anthony Dellinger (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Christopher Kepley
Abstract: Carboxyfullerenes are closed carbon spheres which are being actively pursued globally for a wide range of applications. Their inherent properties and ability to be functionalized with side-chains results in nearly limitless new chemical structures making them ideal platform molecules for new solutions to basic biological problems. In general, two classes of fullerenes exist for nanomedicine applications; empty cage and metallo-fullerenes. The carbon cage (usually C60 and C70) of empty cage fullerenes are anti-oxidants, thus potential therapeutics for inflammatory diseases. Our discovery that certain fullerene derivatives can stabilize and prevent pro-inflammatory mediator release from human tissue mast cells make them ideal candidates for diseases controlled by MC mediators (e.g. arthritis, asthma, etc.). New research findings using metallo-fullerenes with gadolinium inside the carbon cage as diagnostics using Magnetic Resonance Imaging for inflammatory diseases suggest metallo-fullerenes are more sensitive than current contrast agents, have the ability to be targeted to disease specific biomarkers, and are safe.
Fullerenes and their potential in nanomedicine
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Created on 5/1/2015
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Dissertation
- Language: English
- Date: 2015
- Keywords
- Arthritis, Atherosclerosis, Fullerenes, Inflammation, Mast Cells
- Subjects
- Fullerenes $x Therapeutic use
- Nanomedicine