Promises, facts and challenges for graphene in biomedical applications
TL;DR: This Tutorial Review critically describes the latest developments of the graphene family materials into the biomedical field and analyzes graphene-based devices starting from graphene synthetic strategies, functionalization and processibility protocols up to the final in vitro and in vivo applications.
Abstract: The graphene family has captured the interest and the imagination of an increasing number of scientists working in different fields, ranging from composites to flexible electronics. In the area of biomedical applications, graphene is especially involved in drug delivery, biosensing and tissue engineering, with strong contributions to the whole nanomedicine area. Besides the interesting results obtained so far and the evident success, there are still many problems to solve, on the way to the manufacturing of biomedical devices, including the lack of standardization in the production of the graphene family members. Control of lateral size, aggregation state (single vs. few layers) and oxidation state (unmodified graphene vs. oxidized graphenes) is essential for the translation of this material into clinical assays. In this Tutorial Review we critically describe the latest developments of the graphene family materials into the biomedical field. We analyze graphene-based devices starting from graphene synthetic strategies, functionalization and processibility protocols up to the final in vitro and in vivo applications. We also address the toxicological impact and the limitations in translating graphene materials into advanced clinical tools. Finally, new trends and guidelines for future developments are presented.
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TL;DR: This review summarizes the latest advances in this emerging field of "bio-integrated" technologies in a comprehensive manner that connects fundamental developments in chemistry, material science, and engineering with sensing technologies that have the potential for widespread deployment and societal benefit in human health care.
Abstract: Bio-integrated wearable systems can measure a broad range of biophysical, biochemical, and environmental signals to provide critical insights into overall health status and to quantify human performance. Recent advances in material science, chemical analysis techniques, device designs, and assembly methods form the foundations for a uniquely differentiated type of wearable technology, characterized by noninvasive, intimate integration with the soft, curved, time-dynamic surfaces of the body. This review summarizes the latest advances in this emerging field of “bio-integrated” technologies in a comprehensive manner that connects fundamental developments in chemistry, material science, and engineering with sensing technologies that have the potential for widespread deployment and societal benefit in human health care. An introduction to the chemistries and materials for the active components of these systems contextualizes essential design considerations for sensors and associated platforms that appear in f...
727 citations
29 Mar 2021
TL;DR: Nanomaterials have emerged as an amazing class of materials that consists of a broad spectrum of examples with at least one dimension in the range of 1 to 100 nm as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Nanomaterials have emerged as an amazing class of materials that consists of a broad spectrum of examples with at least one dimension in the range of 1 to 100 nm. Exceptionally high surface areas can be achieved through the rational design of nanomaterials. Nanomaterials can be produced with outstanding magnetic, electrical, optical, mechanical, and catalytic properties that are substantially different from their bulk counterparts. The nanomaterial properties can be tuned as desired via precisely controlling the size, shape, synthesis conditions, and appropriate functionalization. This review discusses a brief history of nanomaterials and their use throughout history to trigger advances in nanotechnology development. In particular, we describe and define various terms relating to nanomaterials. Various nanomaterial synthesis methods, including top-down and bottom-up approaches, are discussed. The unique features of nanomaterials are highlighted throughout the review. This review describes advances in nanomaterials, specifically fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, graphene, carbon quantum dots, nanodiamonds, carbon nanohorns, nanoporous materials, core–shell nanoparticles, silicene, antimonene, MXenes, 2D MOF nanosheets, boron nitride nanosheets, layered double hydroxides, and metal-based nanomaterials. Finally, we conclude by discussing challenges and future perspectives relating to nanomaterials.
628 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a nano-resolved analysis of polymeric coatings on graphene and combine optical microscopy and viability assays to assess the material cytocompatibility and influence on differentiation was performed.
Abstract: Graphene displays properties that make it appealing for neuroregenerative medicine, yet its interaction with peripheral neurons has been scarcely investigated. Here, we culture on graphene two established models for peripheral neurons: PC12 cells and DRG primary neurons. We perform a nano-resolved analysis of polymeric coatings on graphene and combine optical microscopy and viability assays to assess the material cytocompatibility and influence on differentiation. We find that differentiated PC12 cells display a remarkably increased neurite length on graphene (up to 27%) with respect to controls. Notably, DRG primary neurons survive both on bare and coated graphene. They present dense axonal networks on coated graphene, while they form cell islets characterized by dense axonal bundles on uncoated graphene. These findings indicate that graphene holds potential for nerve tissue regeneration and might pave the road to novel concepts of active nerve conduits.
505 citations
TL;DR: A review summarizing the progress of supramolecular chemotherapy in cancer treatment based on host-guest recognition and guidance on the design of new targeting supramolescular chemotherapy combining diagnostic and therapeutic functions is presented.
Abstract: Chemotherapy is currently one of the most effective ways to treat cancer. However, traditional chemotherapy faces several obstacles to clinical trials, such as poor solubility/stability, non-targeting capability and uncontrollable release of the drugs, greatly limiting their anticancer efficacy and causing severe side effects towards normal tissues. Supramolecular chemotherapy integrating non-covalent interactions and traditional chemotherapy is a highly promising candidate in this regard and can be appropriately used for targeted drug delivery. By taking advantage of supramolecular chemistry, some limitations impeding traditional chemotherapy for clinical applications can be solved effectively. Therefore, we present here a review summarizing the progress of supramolecular chemotherapy in cancer treatment based on host–guest recognition and provide guidance on the design of new targeting supramolecular chemotherapy combining diagnostic and therapeutic functions. Based on a large number of state-of-the-art studies, our review will advance supramolecular chemotherapy on the basis of host–guest recognition and promote translational clinical applications.
485 citations
TL;DR: This tutorial review summarizes their general properties including the classification of Xenes according to their bulk properties, as well as the synthetic and modification methods of Xene.
Abstract: The emergence of novel two-dimensional (2D) monoelemental materials (Xenes) has shown remarkable potential for their applications in different fields of technology, as well as addressing new discoveries in fundamental science. Xenes (e.g., borophene, silicene, germanene, stanene, phosphorene, arsenene, antimonene, bismuthene, and tellurene) are of particular interest because they are the most chemically tractable materials for synthetic exploration. Owing to their excellent physical, chemical, electronic and optical properties, Xenes have been regarded as promising agents for biosensors, bioimaging, therapeutic delivery, and theranostics, as well as in several other new bio-applications. In this tutorial review, we summarize their general properties including the classification of Xenes according to their bulk properties. The synthetic and modification methods of Xenes are also presented. Furthermore, the representative Xene nanoplatforms for various biomedical applications are highlighted. Finally, research progress, challenges, and perspectives for the future development of Xenes in biomedicines are discussed.
432 citations
References
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TL;DR: This Review focuses on noncovalent functionalization of graphene and graphene oxide with various species involving biomolecules, polymers, drugs, metals and metal oxide-based nanoparticles, quantum dots, magnetic nanostructures, other carbon allotropes, and graphene analogues.
Abstract: This Review focuses on noncovalent functionalization of graphene and graphene oxide with various species involving biomolecules, polymers, drugs, metals and metal oxide-based nanoparticles, quantum dots, magnetic nanostructures, other carbon allotropes (fullerenes, nanodiamonds, and carbon nanotubes), and graphene analogues (MoS2, WS2). A brief description of π–π interactions, van der Waals forces, ionic interactions, and hydrogen bonding allowing noncovalent modification of graphene and graphene oxide is first given. The main part of this Review is devoted to tailored functionalization for applications in drug delivery, energy materials, solar cells, water splitting, biosensing, bioimaging, environmental, catalytic, photocatalytic, and biomedical technologies. A significant part of this Review explores the possibilities of graphene/graphene oxide-based 3D superstructures and their use in lithium-ion batteries. This Review ends with a look at challenges and future prospects of noncovalently modified graph...
1,799 citations
TL;DR: The current state-of-the-art in graphene oxide reduction, consisting of more than 50 types of reducing agent, will be reviewed from a synthetic chemistry point of view to understand the efficiency of these reducing agents for the reduction of graphene oxide.
Abstract: The chemical reduction of graphene oxide is a promising route towards the large scale production of graphene for commercial applications. The current state-of-the-art in graphene oxide reduction, consisting of more than 50 types of reducing agent, will be reviewed from a synthetic chemistry point of view. Emphasis is placed on the techniques, reaction mechanisms and the quality of the produced graphene. The reducing agents are reviewed under two major categories: (i) those which function according to well-supported mechanisms and (ii) those which function according to proposed mechanisms based on knowledge of organic chemistry. This review will serve as a valuable platform to understand the efficiency of these reducing agents for the reduction of graphene oxide.
1,450 citations
TL;DR: Graphene-based photothermal therapy has been realized, achieving excellent anti-tumor therapeutic efficacy in animal experiments and future prospects and challenges of using graphene-based materials for theranostic applications are discussed.
Abstract: Owing to their unique physical and chemical properties, graphene and its derivatives such as graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and GO-nanocomposites have attracted tremendous interest in many different fields including biomedicine in recent years. With every atom exposed on its surface, single-layered graphene shows ultra-high surface area available for efficient molecular loading and bioconjugation, and has been widely explored as novel nano-carriers for drug and gene delivery. Utilizing the intrinsic near-infrared (NIR) optical absorbance, in vivo graphene-based photothermal therapy has been realized, achieving excellent anti-tumor therapeutic efficacy in animal experiments. A variety of inorganic nanoparticles can be grown on the surface of nano-graphene, obtaining functional graphene-based nanocomposites with interesting optical and magnetic properties useful for multi-modal imaging and imaging-guided cancer therapy. Moreover, significant efforts have also been devoted to study the behaviors and toxicology of functionalized nano-graphene in animals. It has been uncovered that both surface chemistry and sizes play key roles in controlling the biodistribution, excretion, and toxicity of nano-graphene. Biocompatibly coated nano-graphene with ultra-small sizes can be cleared out from body after systemic administration, without rendering noticeable toxicity to the treated mice. In this review article, we will summarize the latest progress in this rapidly growing field, and discuss future prospects and challenges of using graphene-based materials for theranostic applications.
1,388 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors highlight the recent progress on mechanical exfoliation for graphene production during the last decade, focusing on the widely used sonication method with the latest insight into sonication-induced defects, newly explored ball milling method, the fluid dynamics method that has emerged in the last three years, and the innovative supercritical fluid method.
Abstract: Mass production and commercial availability are prerequisites for the viability and wide application of graphene. The exfoliation of graphite to give graphene is one of the most promising ways to achieve large-scale production at an extremely low cost. This review focuses on discussing different exfoliation techniques based on a common mechanical mechanism; because a deep understanding of the exfoliation mechanism can provide fruitful information on how to efficiently achieve high-quality graphene by optimizing exfoliation techniques. We highlight the recent progress on mechanical exfoliation for graphene production during the last decade. The emphasis is set on the widely used sonication method with the latest insight into sonication-induced defects, the newly explored ball milling method, the fluid dynamics method that has emerged in the last three years, and the innovative supercritical fluid method. We also give an outlook on how to achieve high-quality graphene efficiently using mechanical exfoliation techniques. We hope this review will point towards a rational direction for the scalable production of graphene.
1,178 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that the shape of these materials is directly related to their induced cellular toxicity, and both G and SWCNT induce cytotoxic effects, and these effects are concentration- and shape-dependent.
Abstract: Graphitic nanomaterials such as graphene layers (G) and single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) are potential candidates in a large number of biomedical applications. However, little is known about the effects of these nanomaterials on biological systems. Here we show that the shape of these materials is directly related to their induced cellular toxicity. Both G and SWCNT induce cytotoxic effects, and these effects are concentration- and shape-dependent. Interestingly, at low concentrations, G induced stronger metabolic activity than SWCNT, a trend that reversed at higher concentrations. Lactate dehydrogenase levels were found to be significantly higher for SWCNT as compared to the G samples. Moreover, reactive oxygen species were generated in a concentration- and time-dependent manner after exposure to G, indicating an oxidative stress mechanism. Furthermore, time-dependent caspase 3 activation after exposure to G (10 μg/mL) shows evidence of apoptosis. Altogether these studies suggest different biological...
999 citations