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
PDF (Portable Document Format)
5189 KB
Created on 5/1/2015
Views: 3372
Additional Information
- Publication
- Dissertation
- Language: English
- Date: 2015
- Keywords
- Arthritis, Atherosclerosis, Fullerenes, Inflammation, Mast Cells
- Subjects
- Fullerenes $x Therapeutic use
- Nanomedicine