Abstract
Carbon Dots (CDs) constitute a new class of zero-dimensional carbon-based nanoparticles. Since their discovery in the beginning of the 21st century, they attracted significant attention because of their unique properties and applications. One of the most desired properties in biomedicine is their biocompatibility. Their ability to be conjugated to various molecules is also very convenient. Thus, CDs have been extensively used for drug delivery. In drug delivery, cell specificity is highly desired to increase treatment efficiency while decreasing untoward side effects. CDs are versatile in that, depending on precursors and preparation methods used, they may show specificity towards distinct cell types. However, little is known concerning how CDs are distributed to and interact with the different central nervous system (CNS) cell types. On the other hand, new treatment strategies are desperately needed for CNS related disorders and diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord injury related complications, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or brain tumors. Targeted drug delivery to CNS is of paramount importance. Unfortunately, drug delivery to CNS is largely restricted by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This dissertation mainly aims to develop CD-based drug delivery systems to cross or bypass the BBB for targeted drug delivery to CNS and study the interactions between CDs and biological systems.