CHED 302 |
| The applications of Carbon Nanotubes (CNT's) in the field of modern medicine such as drug delivery, virus detection, and molecular methods for disease diagnosis have recently started to emerge. Hence, they are expected to be elevated to large scale industrial production. However the use of CNT's in various fields, especially in medical applications raises serious concerns about health and safety issues. In this study, the toxicity level of Single Wall, Multi-Wall, and Metallized Carbon Nanotubes exposed to lung epithelial cells was investigated. The purpose of this study relates to the possible health affects in industrial workers due to exposure of CNT's. Airborne CNT's Workers involved in the manufacturing process of CNT's are at risk of harmful particles that pose a pulmonary system toxic response. The attraction between the lung epithelial cells and the Metallized Carbon Nanotubes is primary in causing the toxic response in the cell. The objectives of this research consisted of culturing a cell line of lung epithelial cells, exposing the lung epithelial cells to a Metallized Carbon Nanotube, Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotube, and Single Wall Carbon Nanotube and comparing the outcome, checking the toxicity using MTT and live/dead cell assays in order to test vulnerability or resistance, comparing its Reactive Oxidative Stress (ROS), and using Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to determine if the nanoparticles entered the cell. Preliminary results have determined that Metallized Carbon Nanotubes are more toxic than Single-Wall and Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes. Furthermore, results show there is a direct relationship between cell death and the generation of Reactive Oxygen Species. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Nanotechnology
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |