Graphene Applications in Biosensors and Diagnostics

Abstract

Nowadays there is a continuous interest in addressing challenges related to the achievement of accurate and reliable monitoring of disease-related biomarkers relevant in the diagnostic process. In this context, biosensors have been developed as analytical tools capable to detect and quantify several analytes, bringing numerous advantages than other conventional techniques. Contrasting to conventional lab tests, which typically take hours or days to provide results to healthcare providers, sensors and biosensors can deliver accurate results in seconds, making them promising analytical devices ideal for medical applications. In the elaboration of biosensors, numerous materials have been studied and applied either as a biorecognition element or as the transducer surface modifier. The excellent electrical conductivity of graphene, besides their chemical, optical, mechanical and structural properties make them as valuable material for use in electrochemical sensors, electronic and optical sensors. The two-dimensional graphene sheets have captured the interest and imagination of physicist and chemists for different functionalization and combinations which can be applied in various biosensors architecture allowing detection with good sensitivity and stability. There are many research groups around the world creating their own unique graphene biosensors schemes and biosensing protocols customized for specific applications. This chapter outlines some fundamentals about structure and properties of graphene and recent literature on sensors and biosensors based on graphene proving practical applications on human fluid samples for medical diagnostics. The functionalization of graphene is comparatively discussed in view of (bio)sensor development.