FeCo nanotubes: possible tool for targeted delivery of drugs and proteins

Progress in biomedicine leads to the appearance of novel methods of treatment at both the molecular and cellular scales. This treatment requires the nanoscale materials, capable to affect locally being manipulated from outside. Magnetic nanotubes (NTs) are the promising tool for a variety of bioapplications, including targeted delivery driven by a magnetic field, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic separation. In this work, the Fe- and Co-doped NTs were synthesized by a template synthesis method in pores of polyethylene terephthalate membranes. The structural and magnetic properties of the obtained FeCo NTs were investigated. In comparison with well-established nanowires, the FeCo NTs demonstrated some advantages such as the homogeneous magnetic field, lower density, and larger specific surface area. A simple way for functionalization of the FeCo NTs with polymethylmethacrylate for targeted delivery of drugs is proposed. The model scheme of drugs attachment to the surface of NTs has been developed and the binding process was illustrated with cyclodipeptide.