Among the wide range of novel nanometer scale structures available, single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) stand as unique materials for fundamental research and potential applications. However, manipulation and processing of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has been difficult because of their intractability and insolubility in most common solvents. Considerable effort has therefore been devoted to the chemical modification of CNTs, which might open the way to many useful applications.Our group has been involved in the organic functionalization of various types of nanocarbons, including carbon nanotubes, fullerenes and, more recently, graphene. The organic functionalization offers the great advantage of producing soluble and easy-to-handle CNTs. As a consequence, since biocompatibility of CNT is expected to improve, many functionalized carbon nanotubes may find useful applications in the field of nanomedicine.Carbon nanotubes can act as active substrates for neuronal growth, a field that has given so far very exciting results. Nanotubes are compatible with neurons, but especially they play a very interesting role in interneuron communication. Improved synaptic plasticity is just one example. During this talk, we will illustrate the latest advances in our laboratory of the most exciting results in these fast developing fields.This research was financed by the ERC Grant Carbonanobridge.

Carbon nanotubes are ideal substrates for neuronal growth

247th National Meeting (2014)

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