Graphene-Based Biosensors for Nano and Pico Applications: The Future is here!

Abstract

Nanotechnology and smaller scale technologies represent golden eggs for medicine and sciences [1,2]. In the recent years, graphene (G)-based biosensors, including functional graphene oxide (GO) and G hybrid nanocomposites, are increasingly explored for real-time imaging and quantification of biomolecules or cells [3]. The remarkable intrinsic and tunable properties of G and derivatives (e.g. planar structure, high surface-volume ratio, high electrical conductivity, good chemical stability and strong mechanical strength) are quite attracting to manufacture reliable, highly sensitive and ultra-fast biosensing platforms (e.g. label-free or fluorochrome-based nano-optical/ biophotonic detection systems such as FRET or CRET) [3]. A number of emerging studies have reported a combination of functional, green, cost-effective and scalable approaches to constantly improve the overall properties (e.g. sensitivity, specificity/selectivity, stability, rapidity, reproducibility) of the G component for real-time and multiplexed imaging of biomolecules (e.g. biomarkers of disease, nucleic acid alterations) or cells (e.g. cancer cells, stem cells, bacteria or viruses) [3]. G and derivatives-based biosensors, which besides can be used as nano-vehicles for drug delivery [2], are revolutionizing the disease prognosis, diagnosis and therapy [3]. The possibility to detect and characterize a single cell or very lowly expressed biomolecules makes G-derived biosensors among the most promising tools for efficient translational, integrative, regenerative and personalized medicine