Demonstration of Surface Modification and Cell Interactions of Asymmetric Magnetic Nanowires
Abstract
The ability to selectively manipulate and probe molecules at the cellular and sub-cellular level is critical both in basic research and in the development of biotechnology applications. One powerful method to do this is to use small particles that interact with individual cells or specific molecules, and which respond to an electric or magnetic field. This approach has found widespread application in cell sorting, biosensing, and studies of mechanical properties of cells using magnetic particles. However, a significant limitation of these magnetic carriers is that they have only a single chemical functionality per particle. In this research program, we are beginning development of a new type of magnetic carrier: multifunctional magnetic nanowires. These nanowires will be able to carry out multiple tasks e.g. binding multiple types of molecules, probing chemical activity in specific regions of a cell, and responding to light as well as to magnetic fields. This was a one-year "Seedling Project" whose goal was to carry out key initial experiments to demonstrate the feasibility of creating and employing multifunctional magnetic nanowires for biotechnology and defense-relevant applications. The results obtained have provided a knowledge base from which to start development of a wide range of uses of the nanowires. This work is currently ongoing under DARPA/AFOSR support. The specific research objectives of this project included: (i) Functionalization of signe- and multi-component nanowires, (ii) Demonstration of binding interactions between nanowires and cells, and (iii) Magnetic manipulation of cells and nanowires. We have made significant progress in all three areas.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA414838
Entities
People
- Daniel H. Reich
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University