Graphene-Based Nanomaterials in Biomedical Applications

Graphene-based nanomaterials encompass atomically thin sheets of carbon and their chemically derived forms, including graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide. Their exceptional surface area, mechanical strength, electrical conductivity and chemical tunability have spurred a diverse array of biomedical applications. In drug and gene delivery, graphene derivatives serve as high‐loading carriers that facilitate targeted transport and controlled release. In tissue engineering, graphene’s mechanical resilience and conductive properties support the growth and differentiation of cells for regenerative therapies. Its photothermal responsiveness under near‐infrared light enables precise ablation of cancer cells, while surface‐functionalised graphene shows potent antibacterial activity, disrupting microbial membranes and inhibiting biofilm formation. Biocompatibility and safety assessments—ranging from in vitro cytotoxicity to first‐in‐human exposure—are critical for translating these materials into clinical settings. Green production methods and rigorous purification protocols further enhance the prospects for safe and scalable biomedical use.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility and safety of graphene oxide in direct human exposure. In a controlled clinical setting, healthy volunteers inhaled thin, highly purified graphene oxide nanosheets for two hours without measurable detriment to lung function, cardiovascular parameters or systemic inflammation, establishing a framework for human risk assessment of two-dimensional materials. At a molecular level, fundamental investigations into the antibacterial action of graphene oxide have employed advanced spectroscopic techniques to reveal how graphene interfaces with bacterial biomolecules. Raman fingerprinting of treated cultures uncovered protein and nucleic-acid signatures indicative of membrane disruption and cell death, guiding the rational design of next-generation antimicrobial surfaces and composites for wound dressings and medical devices.

Graphene-Based Nanomaterials in Biomedical Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in graphene-based nanomaterials in biomedical applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Graphene oxide (GO): Graphene sheets bearing oxygen-containing functional groups that increase water dispersibility and enable further chemical modification.

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO): Graphene oxide partially restored to graphene by chemical or thermal treatment, improving electrical conductivity while retaining some functionalisation sites.

Functionalisation: Covalent or non-covalent attachment of molecules (e.g. polymers, drugs, targeting ligands) to graphene surfaces to enhance solubility, biocompatibility or specificity.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials: Atomically thin layers of crystalline material with high aspect ratios, exemplified by graphene and its analogues.

Cytocompatibility: The capacity of a material to coexist with living cells without inducing adverse responses, including toxicity or inflammatory reactions.

References

1. First-in-human controlled inhalation of thin graphene oxide nanosheets to study acute cardiorespiratory responses. Nature Nanotechnology (2024).
2. Single Atom Engineered Antibiotics Overcome Bacterial Resistance. Advanced Materials (2024).
3. Study of antibacterial mechanism of graphene oxide using Raman spectroscopy. Scientific Reports (2016).
4. Synthesis and Functionalization of Graphene Materials for Biomedical Applications: Recent Advances, Challenges, and Perspectives. Advanced Science (2023).
5. Environmental and Health Impacts of Graphene and Other Two-Dimensional Materials: A Graphene Flagship Perspective. ACS Nano (2024).
6. Graphene as Cancer Theranostic Tool: Progress and Future Challenges. Theranostics (2015).
7. Antibacterial Properties of Graphene-Based Nanomaterials. Nanomaterials (2019).