Carbon nanotubes for inducing magnetotactic properties into cells

In this paper we present a method to make cells magnetotactic by using carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The key of the method consists of a highly biocompatible dispersion of CNTs. These CNTs, once added to culture medium of neuroblastoma cells, strongly interact with the cell membrane. CNTs-conjugated cells appear to be sensitive to applied magnetic field gradient and move towards the magnetic source. A simple model of the forces acting on the CNTs-conjugated cells is presented and examples of possible applications are provided, such as cell separation, magnetic force-based tissue engineering and advanced imaging techniques.