Carbon Nanotubes Demonstrate Strong Germ-Fighting Potential

Scientists are reporting the first direct evidence that carbon nanotubes have powerful antimicrobial activity, a finding that could help fight the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant infections.

The investigators, from Yale University (New Haven, CT, USA), conducted research on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), which was reported in the August 28, 2007, issue of American Chemical Society's journal Langmuir.

Dr. Menachem Elimelech and colleagues point out that previous studies on the toxicity of SWNTs have focused on their deleterious human and environmental effects. These microscopic cylinders of carbon are one of the most promising compounds for commercial and industrial applications of nanotechnology in the 21st century, according to the investigators. Their potential uses range from biosensors to new drug delivery systems.

"Surprisingly, however, no published studies exist on the direct interaction of SWNTs with microbes,” the authors stated in their report. "Our experiments provide the first direct evidence that highly purified SWNTs exhibit strong antimicrobial activity and indicate that severe cell membrane damage by direct contact with SWNTs is the likely mechanism responsible for the toxicity to model bacteria. These observations point to the potential use of SWNTs as building blocks for antimicrobial materials.”


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