Hilder, TamsynHill, James M2015-12-102015-12-101546-1955http://hdl.handle.net/1885/39325Functionalized nanoparticles and nanotubes may be able to target specific cells, become ingested and then release their contents in response to a chemical trigger. An alternative delivery mechanism, which may offer advantages in drug delivery is the use of a nanosyringe which pierces the cell membrane and injects molecules such as DNA or anticancer drugs directly into the cell. Here, we propose the use of double-walled carbon nanotubes as nanosyringes. By way of illustration we investigate the suction and expulsion mechanisms, using elementary mechanics and applied mathematical modeling techniques, for both a C60 fullerene and the anticancer drug cisplatin, but similar calculations can be undertaken for any molecule. Some specific guidelines are formulated to assist medical scientists to facilitate nanosyringe development.Keywords: Cell membranes; Cytology; Drug delivery; Fullerenes; Mechanics; Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCN); Nanocomposites; Nanotubes; Nucleic acids; Organic acids; Platinum compounds; Anti-cancer drugs; Cisplatin; Delivery mechanisms; Functionalized nanoparticl Cisplatin; Fullerene; Loading/Unloading; Mechanics; Nanosyringe200810.1166/jctn.2008.11122016-02-24