TECHNOLOGY: Buckyballs

Buckminsterfullerenes, or buckyballs as they are more commonly known, are the spherical equivalent to carbon nanotubes. The carbon lattice in buckyballs consists of pentagonal carbon chains surrounded by hexagonal chains in a pattern much like that of a soccer ball (see figure). This pattern allows the carbon lattice to bend in a way that is most stable in a hollow spherical form.

The most immediately apparent contributions that these buckyballs may make lie in the field of drug delivery and transport within the body. Currently, liposomes are used to transport drugs through the body for a slower acting and longer lasting effect with better localization to target areas. These liposomes can be introduced through many different methods, including inhalation. However, these liposomes are often targeted by killer cells in our immune system and tend to be cleared from lung tissue very quickly, decreasing the effectiveness of the drug.

Buckyballs have recently been proposed as a potential replacement for liposomes in this type of drug delivery. The superior biological stability of buckyballs allows them to be retained in the lung much longer than liposomes for better drug delivery. Moreover, the simple lattice structure of these buckyballs make it easy to attach multiple drugs to the system, allowing for drug cocktails designed for more complicated action on target sites. A recent article published in the JACS demonstrated that when coupled with cancer drug, Paclitaxel, these buckyballs show an ability to remain in the lung longer than traditional liposomes.

A lab in Cornell is currently researching a method of creating buckyballs out of DNA molecules, and several other labs are working on further potential uses for these balls. Further applications include uses as molecular ball bearings, optical devices, and semiconductors.

(FIGURE from http://www.osti.gov/accomplishments/images/buckyball.gif)