Biomaterial Database

Biomedical applications of functionalized fullerene-based nanomaterials. 2009

Ranga Partha, and Jodie L Conyers

Center for Translational Injury Research, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, 77030, USA.

Since their discovery in 1985, fullerenes have been investigated extensively due to their unique physical and chemical properties. In recent years, studies on functionalized fullerenes for various applications in the field of biomedical sciences have seen a significant increase. The ultimate goal is towards employing these functionalized fullerenes in the diagnosis and therapy of human diseases. Functionalized fullerenes are one of the many different classes of compounds that are currently being investigated in the rapidly emerging field of nanomedicine. In this review, the focus is on the three categories of drug delivery, reactive oxygen species quenching, and targeted imaging for which functionalized fullerenes have been studied in depth. In addition, an exhaustive list of the different classes of functionalized fullerenes along with their applications is provided. We will also discuss and summarize the unique approaches, mechanisms, advantages, and the aspect of toxicity behind utilizing functionalized fullerenes for biomedical applications.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D001672	Biocompatible Materials	Synthetic or natural materials, other than DRUGS, that are used to replace or repair any body TISSUES or bodily function.	Biomaterials,Bioartificial Materials,Hemocompatible Materials,Bioartificial Material,Biocompatible Material,Biomaterial,Hemocompatible Material,Material, Bioartificial,Material, Biocompatible,Material, Hemocompatible
D049329	Nanostructures	Materials which have structured components with at least one dimension in the range of 1 to 100 nanometers. These include NANOCOMPOSITES; NANOPARTICLES; NANOTUBES; and NANOWIRES.	Nanomaterials,Nanostructured Materials,Material, Nanostructured,Materials, Nanostructured,Nanomaterial,Nanostructure,Nanostructured Material
D050997	Nanomedicine	The branch of medicine concerned with the application of NANOTECHNOLOGY to the prevention and treatment of disease. It involves the monitoring, repair, construction, and control of human biological systems at the molecular level, using engineered nanodevices and NANOSTRUCTURES. (From Freitas Jr., Nanomedicine, vol 1, 1999).
D019736	Prostheses and Implants	Artificial substitutes for body parts, and materials inserted into tissue for functional, cosmetic, or therapeutic purposes. Prostheses can be functional, as in the case of artificial arms and legs, or cosmetic, as in the case of an artificial eye. Implants, all surgically inserted or grafted into the body, tend to be used therapeutically. IMPLANTS, EXPERIMENTAL is available for those used experimentally.	Implants, Artificial,Prostheses and Implant,Prosthesis,Prosthetic Implant,Endoprostheses,Endoprosthesis,Prostheses,Prosthetic Implants,Artificial Implant,Artificial Implants,Implant and Prostheses,Implant, Artificial,Implant, Prosthetic,Implants and Prostheses,Implants, Prosthetic
D023822	Tissue Engineering	Generating tissue in vitro for clinical applications, such as replacing wounded tissues or impaired organs. The use of TISSUE SCAFFOLDING enables the generation of complex multi-layered tissues and tissue structures.	Engineering, Tissue
D037741	Fullerenes	A polyhedral CARBON structure composed of around 60-80 carbon atoms in pentagon and hexagon configuration. They are named after Buckminster Fuller because of structural resemblance to geodesic domes. Fullerenes can be made in high temperature such as arc discharge in an inert atmosphere.	Buckyballs,Buckminsterfullerenes,Buckminsterfullerene,Buckyball,Fullerene