Abstract: Compositions and methods related to carbon nanotubes are provided. More particularly, imaging agents comprising carbon nanotubes internally loaded with a contrast agent and associated methods are provided. One example of a method may involve a method for imaging comprising: providing an imaging agent comprising a carbon nanotube loaded with contrast agent; introducing the imaging agent into a cell; and imaging the cell to detect the presence of the imaging agent.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure describes fullerene derivatives that are capable of photocatalytically generating reactive oxygen species in the presence of ultraviolet and/or visible light. In some embodiments, the fullerene derivatives are aminofullerenes containing a plurality of amine-terminated moieties covalently bonded to the fullerene cage. The fullerene derivatives may optionally be covalently bonded to a substrate surface for use in photocatalytic disinfection systems for removing various contaminants including, for example, bacteria, viruses, protozoa and chemical pollutants. Methods using the present fullerene and aminofullerene derivatives in various purification processes are also described herein.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to carbon nanotubes are provided. More particularly, imaging agents comprising carbon nanotubes internally loaded with a contrast agent and associated methods are provided. One example of a method may involve a method for imaging comprising: providing an imaging agent comprising a carbon nanotube loaded with contrast agent; introducing the imaging agent into a cell; and imaging the cell to detect the presence of the imaging agent.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure describes fullerene derivatives that are capable of photocatalytically generating reactive oxygen species in the presence of ultraviolet and/or visible light. In some embodiments, the fullerene derivatives are aminofullerenes containing a plurality of amine-terminated moieties covalently bonded to the fullerene cage. The fullerene derivatives may optionally be covalently bonded to a substrate surface for use in photocatalytic disinfection systems for removing various contaminants including, for example, bacteria, viruses, protozoa and chemical pollutants. Methods using the present fullerene and aminofullerene derivatives in various purification processes are also described herein.

Abstract: Novel methods and compositions of nanocomposites are provided. One exemplary composition comprises a biocompatible polymer, such as polypropylene fumarate, and a carbon nanotube, such as a single walled carbon nanotube, an ultra-short carbon nanotube, or a substituted ultra-short carbon nanotube. An exemplary method comprises providing a biocompatible polymer and a carbon nanotube and combining a biocompatible polymer and a carbon nanotube to form a nanocomposite. Another exemplary method comprises providing a nanocomposite comprising a biocompatible polymer and a carbon nanotube and administering the composition to a subject.

Abstract: A method of removing metal impurities from carbon nanotubes includes treating carbon nanotubes with distilled bromine in a substantially oxygen- and water-free atmosphere and then removing the distilled bromine from the carbon nanotubes. Purified carbon nanotubes having an iron content from about 2.5 to about 3.5 by weight that are substantially free of derivatization at the ends and defect sites are made available via this method.

Abstract: A contrast agent composition comprising at least one carbon nanotube and a metal catalyst. A method for obtaining a magnetic resonance image, the method comprising: administering to a subject a contrast agent composition, wherein a contrast agent composition comprises at least one carbon nanotube and a metal catalyst; and obtaining a magnetic resonance image of at least a portion of the subject in which the contrast agent is disposed.

Abstract: Nanostructures comprising radioisotopes and/or metals are provided. More particularly, in some embodiments, nanostructures comprising radioisotopes and/or metals, methods of their synthesis, and their use in cancer imaging and therapy are provided.

Abstract: MRI imaging compositions are disclosed comprising non-chelated MRI contrast agents in the pores of at least one porous microparticle or nanoparticle. The compositions of the invention have been found to exhibit increased relaxivity and therefore, enhanced MRI imaging. The non-chelated contrast agents include T1 contrast agents, such as those including Gd(III) or Mn(II). Methods of MRI imaging and methods of making the compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Herein we disclose a composition, comprising a Cn-Ab, wherein Cn is a fullerene or nanotube comprising n carbon atoms, and Ab is a moiety comprising an antigen-binding site and is linked to the Cn. The composition can further comprise a therapeutic molecule associated with the Cn-Ab. Also, we disclose a method of treating a disease in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of the composition.

Abstract: A method of removing metal impurities from carbon nanotubes includes treating carbon nanotubes with distilled bromine in a substantially oxygen- and water-free atmosphere and then removing the distilled bromine from the carbon nanotubes. Purified carbon nanotubes having an iron content from about 2.5 to about 3.5 by weight that are substantially free of derivatization at the ends and defect sites are made available via this method.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to targeted carbon nanostructures. More particularly, targeted carbon nanostructures comprising: a Cn, a cross-linker, and a targeting agent, wherein Cn refers to a fullerene moiety or nanotube comprising n carbon atoms. One example of a method may involve a method for imaging comprising: contacting a targeted carbon nanostructure and a cell; allowing the cell to internalize the carbon nanostructure; and detecting the presence of internalized carbon nanostructures.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to carbon Nanotubes are provided. More particularly, imaging agents comprising carbon Nanotubes internally loaded with a contrast agent and associated methods are provided. One example of a method may involve a method for imaging comprising: providing an imaging agent comprising a carbon Nanotube loaded with contrast agent; introducing the imaging agent into a cell; and imaging the cell to detect the presence of the imaging agent.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for administering a therapeutic agent to a mammal are disclosed. The compositions comprise either (i) vesicles comprising an amphiphilic substituted fullerene, wherein the therapeutic agent is present in the vesicle interior or between layers of the vesicle wall, (ii) a substituted fullerene, comprising a fullerene core and a functional moiety, wherein the therapeutic agent is associated with the substituted fullerene, or (iii) carbon nanotubes, wherein the therapeutic agent is associated with the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Nanostructure-drug conjugates and associated methods of use are provided. In one embodiment, a nanostructure-drug conjugate comprising a Cn, a crosslinker, and a drug is provided, wherein Cn refers to a fullerene moiety or nanotube comprising n carbon atoms. A method of treating cancer is also provided, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a nanostructure-drug conjugate comprising: a Cn, a crosslinker, and a drug, wherein Cn refers to a fullerene moiety comprising n carbon atoms to a mammal.

Abstract: A method for delivering a radiotherapeutic agent to a target, comprises administering a composition comprising water-soluble nanotubes having an average length less than 50 nm and a radionuclide so as to expose the target to the composition. The nanotubes can be functionalized with a monoclonal antibody having an affinity for the target. The radionuclide can be contained in the nanotubes, which can be derivatized. The nanotubes can be loaded with I2 or 211AtI, another ?-emitter, including but not limited to 211AtI, 225Ac, 212Bi, 213Bi, and combinations thereof. The nanotubes have an average length less than 40 nm, or an average length less than 30 nm.

Abstract: A fullerene-antibiotic conjugate including at least one antibiotic molecule per fullerene moiety. The fullerene may comprise C60 and the antibiotic may comprise vancomycin or may be selected from the group consisting of penicillins, cephalosporins, quinolones, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, lincosamines, carbepenems, conobactams, aminoglycosides, glycopeptides, tetracyclines, sulfonamides, rifampin, oxazolidonones, and streptogramins. The conjugate preferably includes at least two and more preferably at least three antibiotic molecules per C60 center. A method for making a fullerene(C60)-antibiotic conjugate, comprises: synthesizing a linker precursor (I); reacting the linker precursor (I) with C60 via a Bingel-reaction, to produce a fullerene-linker conjugate (II); hydrolyzing the fullerene-linker conjugate (II), resulting in a desired derivative of C60 (III); and reacting the derivative (III) with a desired antibiotic to produce a fullerene-antibiotic conjugate (IV).

Abstract: A method for providing bone therapy in a patient in need of bone therapy comprises administering to the patient a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound comprising a biologically inert carrier, a bone vector; and a therapeutic agent. The bone vector preferably comprises a bisphosphonate, the carrier preferably comprises a fullerene, and more preferably C60, the therapeutic agent preferably comprises fluoride.

Abstract: An contrast agent for therapeutic or diagnostic treatment comprises a fullerene scaffold and an iodinated moiety bonded to the scaffold. The agent may further comprise a water solubilizing moiety bonded to the scaffold, which may be a serinol malonodiamide, hydroxyl, and 1,3-diol. The fullerene scaffold may comprise an empty fullerene or an endohedral fullerene. A method for making the agent includes a) synthesizing iodinating moieties, b) protecting serinols, forming protected serinols, c) attaching the protected serinols to the iodinated moieties, forming iodinated serinols, d) attaching the iodinated serinols to the fullerene scaffold, and, optionally, d) de-protecting the serinols. Also disclosed are a method for providing diagnostic treatment to a patient comprising administering to said patient a radiopaque effective amount of a contrast agent comprising a fullerene scaffold and an iodinated moiety, a method of making a blood pool agent.

Abstract: An contrast agent for therapeutic or diagnostic treatment comprises a fullerene scaffold and an iodinated moiety bonded to the scaffold. The agent may further comprise a water solubilizing moiety bonded to the scaffold, which may be a serinol malonodiamide, hydroxyl, and 1,3-diol. The fullerene scaffold may comprise an empty fullerene or an endohedral fullerene. A method for making the agent includes a) synthesizing iodinating moieties, b) protecting serinols, forming protected serinols, c) attaching the protected serinols to the iodinated moieties, forming iodinated serinols, d) attaching the iodinated serinols to the fullerene scaffold, and, optionally, d) de-protecting the serinols. Also disclosed are a method for providing diagnostic treatment to a patient comprising administering to said patient a radiopaque effective amount of a contrast agent comprising a fullerene scaffold and an iodinated moiety, a method of making a blood pool agent.