Abstract
During the past few years, graphene has outstandingly emerged as a key nanomaterial for boosting the performance of commercial, industrial and scientific related technologies. The popularity of this novel nanomaterial in biomedical engineering is due to its excellent biological, electronic, optical and thermal properties that, as a whole, surpass the features of commonly used biomaterials and consequently open a wide range of applications so far within the reach of science fiction. In this minireview, the potential of graphene and its based materials in the expanding biomedical field is highlighted with focus on groundbreaking diagnostic, monitoring and therapeutic strategies. Some of the major challenges related to the synthesis and safety of graphene-based materials are also briefly discussed because of their critical importance in bringing this class of carbon materials closer to the clinic.
Highlights
Since it was successfully isolated for the first time in 20041, graphene has proved to be a frontrunner nanomaterial for a wide range of biomedical engineering applications[2] by narrowing the gap among biology, electronics and nanoscience towards the development of more efficient diagnostic[3] and therapeutic[4] strategies
The remarkable electronic and optical properties of graphene are deeply linked with its singular electronic band which, by combining both metallic and semiconducting characteristics, allows the π electrons to behave like ultrarelativistic particles able to move with a speed close to the speed of light
The presence of graphene was a critical factor to enhance the performance of a polyacrylamide hydrogel proposed as a 3D neural tissue engineering (TE) scaffold as neurons were only able to generate neuronal networks capable of supporting synaptic activity when cultured in those hybrid hydrogels containing graphene[17]
Summary
Since it was successfully isolated for the first time in 20041, graphene has proved to be a frontrunner nanomaterial for a wide range of biomedical engineering applications[2] by narrowing the gap among biology, electronics and nanoscience towards the development of more efficient diagnostic[3] and therapeutic[4] strategies. The vertiginous uprising of graphene in the biomedical field is intrinsically related to its set of amazing features, combining enhanced electrical, thermal, optical and mechanical properties with promising levels of biocompatibility.
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