Sugar coated stealth carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) have shown tremendous promise as agents for diagnostic and therapeutic intervention in vivo. We demonstrate how Dextran sulfate (DS) can render SWNT transparent to macrophages, a vital component of the innate immunity. We also demonstrate a site specific attachment strategy to conjugate antibodies to DS for downstream applications. DS was compared to Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) coated SWNT, a trusted standard for rendering nanoparticles immune to opsonization.