Date of Award
Winter 12-2001
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Honors College Theses
Department
Chemistry
Second Advisor
Dr. Joyce W. O'Rourke
Third Advisor
Dr. Beverly Wade
Abstract
In the past research, when a carbon nanotube enhanced cantilever was probed along a living cell membrane, carboxylic acid groups located at the tips of the nanotubes would interact with various groups on the surface of the membrane causing it to rupture. A method to re-derivatize the tips of the nanotubes through covalent bonding by allowing the amine groups to attach to the carboxylic acid groups was developed. This chemical change perhaps will allow one to probe a cell surface without rupturing it. Successful nanotube derivatization will eventually lead to a map of the surface of living cell membranes and advances in cancer research.
Recommended Citation
Perkins, Brandy L., "The study of biological membranes using the atomic force microscope" (2001). Electronic Dissertations and Theses. 94.
https://digitalcommons.subr.edu/dissertations_theses/94