In recent years, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have received increasing attention for their potential biological and medicinal applications, including drug delivery. SWNTs readily permeate cell membranes, giving them the ability to quickly and efficiently carry drugs into target cells. However, once inside the cell, the drug must be able to detach from the SWNT in order be effective. With this in mind, the current study aims to reversibly attach clarithromycin, an antibiotic with the capability to combat a wide range of bacterial infections, to SWNTs. To accomplish this, cysteine was attached to both clarithromycin and the SWNTs. Attachment of cysteine to clarithromycin had little effect on the antibiotic's effectiveness. This work is an important first step toward the desired SWNT antibiotic delivery system. In future studies, disulfide bond will be formed between the cysteine molecule on the clarithromycin and the cysteine molecule on the SWNT, thereby attaching the antibiotic to the nanotube. Finally, samples of bacteria will be treated with clarithromycin-laden SWNTs in order to determine if this method of attachment and delivery leads to an improved ability to inhibit bacterial growth.

Cysteine functionalization of clarithromycin for nanomaterial attachment for delivery to <i>Escherichia coli </i>

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

[Author Benefits](https://scimeetings.acs.org/?utm_source=pubs_content_marketing&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=0320_MCF_NPI_Launch_Spring_Homepage&ref=pubs_content_marketing)

[How to use SciMeetings](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMeetings-ACSSpring2020-HowToGuide_M3020-Final.pdf)

[Frequently Asked Questions](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMtng_ACSNMSp2020_FAQ_M3120_Final.pdf)

ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.

Cysteine functionalization of clarithromycin for nanomaterial attachment for delivery to Escherichia coli