Modeling the binding of peptides on carbon nanotubes and their use as protein and DNA carriers

An in deep study of the functionalization of carbon nanotubes for their application as peptides and DNA carriers is presented. Designed amphiphilic polypeptides are used to study the dispersion properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and to measure the properties of the carbon nanotube-polypeptide complexes. These properties allow the design of methods for using carbon nanotubes as platforms for protein and DNA binding. First, a model that characterizes the adsorption of natural peptides onto SWCNTs is developed which allows the design of functionalization methods of SWCNTs with proteins. This model was based on properties that describe the protein structure and composition. Second, the binding of cationic amphiphilic polypeptides to SWCNTs is studied for subsequent and efficient binding of DNA to carbon nanotubes by a bilayer approach. These functionalization methods for the development of protein and DNA carriers have potential applications in using SWCNTs in important fields such as biosensing and delivery systems design.