Multifunctional magnetic nanowires
AssigneeThe John Hopkins University
InventorsDaniel Reich, Gerald Meyer, Chia-Ling Chien, Christopher Chen, Peter C. Searson
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Abstract
The invention provides multisegmented, multifunctional magnetic nanowires for the probing and manipulation of molecules at the cellular and subcellular level. The different segments of the nanowire may have differing properties, including a variety of magnetic, non-magnetic, and luminescent behavior. Differences in surface chemistry allow different segments of a single nanowire to be functionalized with different multiple functional groups and/or ligands, giving the wire chemical multifunctionality.
Claims21
A magnetic nanowire comprising:
- one or more segments;
- and
- functional groups or ligands associated with at least one of said segments.
A method of forming a functionalized magnetic nanowire, comprising:
- providing a magnetic nanowire having one or more segments,
- associating functional groups or ligands with at least of one said segments,
- wherein said step of attaching forms a functionalized magnetic nanowire.
A method of binding a target molecule with a magnetic nanowire, said method comprising the steps of:
- contacting said target molecule with said magnetic nanowire, wherein said magnetic nanowire comprises at least one segment associated with a functional group or ligand, said functional group or ligand being capable of binding to said target molecule;
- and
- allowing said functional group or ligand to bind said target molecule.
A method of binding a magnetic nanowire to a cell, comprising,
- contacting said cell with said magnetic nanowire, wherein said magnetic nanowire has associated with it functional groups or ligands capable of binding to said cell, and
- allowing said functional groups or said ligands to bind to said cell.
A magnetized cell, comprising,
- a cell, and
- an associated magnetic nanowire.
A method of placing a cell at a location comprising the steps of
- binding a magnetic nanowire to said cell,
- exposing said cell with said bound magnetic nanowire to a magnetic field, wherein said magnetic field causes said cell with said bound magnetic nanowire to be located at said location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.