Self-propelled carbon nanotube based microrockets for rapid capture and isolation of circulating tumor cells

Abstract

Here, we report a non-invasive strategy for isolating cancer cells by autonomously propelled carbon nanotube (CNT) microrockets. H₂O₂-driven oxygen (O₂) bubble-propelled microrockets were synthesized using CNT and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in the inner surface and covalently conjugating transferrin on the outer surface. Results show that self-propellant microrockets can specifically capture cancer cells.