Skip to main content
Log in

Graphene meets biology

  • Invited Review
  • Materials Science
  • Published:
Chinese Science Bulletin

Abstract

Graphene features a shining star in the material sciences since its discovery in 2004. Biomedical application of graphene-family materials has been driven recently. In this paper, we overviewed the cutting-edge research in the biomedical application of graphene-based biomaterials, such as bio-sensing and bio-imaging, drug/gene delivery and scaffold for tissue engineering. We emphasized on the effect of graphene substrates on cellular behaviors of adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. The development of three-dimensional scaffolds based on graphene-based nanomaterials and the potential of these constructs in tissue engineering are discussed. The perspectives and challenges are also addressed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Novoselov KS, Geim AK, Morozov SV et al (2004) Electric field effect in atomically thin carbon films. Science 306:666–669

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Shen H, Zhang L, Liu M et al (2012) Biomedical applications of graphene. Theranostics 2:283–294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Feng L, Liu Z (2011) Graphene in biomedicine: opportunities and challenges. Nanomedicine (Lond) 6:317–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Ma L, Ren W, Dong Z et al (2012) Progress of graphene growth on copper by chemical vapor deposition: growth behavior and controlled synthesis. Chin Sci Bull 57:2995–2999

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Allen MJ, Tung VC, Kaner RB (2009) Honeycomb carbon: a review of graphene. Chem Rev 110:132–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Stoller MD, Park S, Zhu Y et al (2008) Graphene-based ultracapacitors. Nano Lett 8:3498–3502

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Park S, Ruoff RS (2009) Chemical methods for the production of graphenes. Nat Nano 4:217–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Lee C, Wei X, Kysar JW et al (2008) Measurement of the elastic properties and intrinsic strength of monolayer graphene. Science 321:385–388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Chen F, Xia J, Ferry DK et al (2009) Dielectric screening enhanced performance in graphene fet. Nano Lett 9:2571–2574

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Zhou D, Cui Y, Han B (2012) Graphene-based hybrid materials and their applications in energy storage and conversion. Chin Sci Bull 57:2983–2994

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Lü K, Zhao G, Wang X (2012) A brief review of graphene-based material synthesis and its application in environmental pollution management. Chin Sci Bull 57:1223–1234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Zhu Y, Murali S, Cai W et al (2010) Graphene and graphene oxide: synthesis, properties, and applications. Adv Mater 22:3906–3924

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Sun X, Liu Z, Welsher K et al (2008) Nano-graphene oxide for cellular imaging and drug delivery. Nano Res 1:203–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Zhang Y, Nayak TR, Hong H et al (2012) Graphene: a versatile nanoplatform for biomedical applications. Nanoscale 4:3833–3842

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Eda G, Lin YY, Mattevi C et al (2010) Blue photoluminescence from chemically derived graphene oxide. Adv Mater 22:505–509

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Peng C, Hu W, Zhou Y et al (2010) Intracellular imaging with a graphene-based fluorescent probe. Small 6:1686–1692

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Lu CH, Yang HH, Zhu CL et al (2009) A graphene platform for sensing biomolecules. Angew Chem Int Ed 48:4785–4787

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Chung C, Kim YK, Shin D et al (2013) Biomedical applications of graphene and graphene oxide. Acc Chem Res 46:2211–2224

    Google Scholar 

  19. Chang H, Tang L, Wang Y et al (2010) Graphene fluorescence resonance energy transfer aptasensor for the thrombin detection. Anal Chem 82:2341–2346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Cohen-Karni T, Qing Q, Li Q et al (2010) Graphene and nanowire transistors for cellular interfaces and electrical recording. Nano Lett 10:1098–1102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. He Q, Sudibya HG, Yin Z et al (2010) Centimeter-long and large-scale micropatterns of reduced graphene oxide films: fabrication and sensing applications. ACS Nano 4:3201–3208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Zhang J, Dong X, Cheng J et al (2011) Efficient analysis of non-polar environmental contaminants by MALDI–TOF Ms with graphene as matrix. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom 22:1294–1298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Dong X, Cheng J, Li J et al (2010) Graphene as a novel matrix for the analysis of small molecules by MALDI–TOF MS. Anal Chem 82:6208–6214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Yang K, Feng L, Shi X et al (2013) Nano-graphene in biomedicine: theranostic applications. Chem Soc Rev 42:530–547

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Liu K, Zhang J, Cheng F et al (2011) Green and facile synthesis of highly biocompatible graphene nanosheets and its application for cellular imaging and drug delivery. J Mater Chem 21:12034–12040

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Yang K, Wan J, Zhang S et al (2010) In vivo pharmacokinetics, long-term biodistribution, and toxicology of pegylated graphene in mice. ACS Nano 5:516–522

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Hong H, Zhang Y, Engle JW et al (2012) In vivo targeting and positron emission tomography imaging of tumor vasculature with 66ga-labeled nano-graphene. Biomaterials 33:4147–4156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Zhu S, Zhang J, Qiao C et al (2011) Strongly green-photoluminescent graphene quantum dots for bioimaging applications. Chem Commun 47:6858–6860

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Shen J, Zhu Y, Chen C et al (2011) Facile preparation and upconversion luminescence of graphene quantum dots. Chem Commun 47:2580–2582

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Sun H, Wu L, Gao N et al (2013) Improvement of photoluminescence of graphene quantum dots with a biocompatible photochemical reduction pathway and its bioimaging application. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 5:1174–1179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Shi X, Gong H, Li Y et al (2013) Graphene-based magnetic plasmonic nanocomposite for dual bioimaging and photothermal therapy. Biomaterials 34:4786–4793

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Chen W, Yi P, Zhang Y et al (2011) Composites of aminodextran-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles and graphene oxide for cellular magnetic resonance imaging. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 3:4085–4091

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Sreejith S, Ma X, Zhao Y (2012) Graphene oxide wrapping on squaraine-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles for bioimaging. J Am Chem Soc 134:17346–17349

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Liu Z, Robinson JT, Sun X et al (2008) Pegylated nanographene oxide for delivery of water-insoluble cancer drugs. J Am Chem Soc 130:10876–10877

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Yang K, Zhang S, Zhang G et al (2010) Graphene in mice: ultrahigh in vivo tumor uptake and efficient photothermal therapy. Nano Lett 10:3318–3323

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Tian B, Wang C, Zhang S et al (2011) Photothermally enhanced photodynamic therapy delivered by nano-graphene oxide. ACS Nano 5:7000–7009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Zhou L, Wang W, Tang J et al (2011) Graphene oxide noncovalent photosensitizer and its anticancer activity in vitro. Chem Eur J 17:12084–12091

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Davis ME (2002) Non-viral gene delivery systems. Curr Opin Biotechnol 13:128–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Feng L, Zhang S, Liu Z (2011) Graphene based gene transfection. Nanoscale 3:1252–1257

    Google Scholar 

  40. Chen B, Liu M, Zhang L et al (2011) Polyethylenimine-functionalized graphene oxide as an efficient gene delivery vector. J Mater Chem 21:7736–7741

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Zhang L, Lu Z, Zhao Q et al (2011) Enhanced chemotherapy efficacy by sequential delivery of sirna and anticancer drugs using pei-grafted graphene oxide. Small 7:460–464

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Bao H, Pan Y, Ping Y et al (2011) Chitosan-functionalized graphene oxide as a nanocarrier for drug and gene delivery. Small 7:1569–1578

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Ghasemi-Mobarakeh L, Prabhakaran MP, Morshed M et al (2011) Application of conductive polymers, scaffolds and electrical stimulation for nerve tissue engineering. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 5:e17–e35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Georgakilas V, Otyepka M, Bourlinos AB et al (2012) Functionalization of graphene: covalent and non-covalent approaches, derivatives and applications. Chem Rev 112:6156–6214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Ryoo SR, Kim YK, Kim MH et al (2010) Behaviors of NIH-3T3 fibroblasts on graphene/carbon nanotubes: proliferation, focal adhesion, and gene transfection studies. ACS Nano 4:6587–6598

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Ruiz ON, Fernando KAS, Wang B et al (2011) Graphene oxide: a nonspecific enhancer of cellular growth. ACS Nano 5:8100–8107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Kalbacova M, Broz A, Kong J et al (2010) Graphene substrates promote adherence of human osteoblasts and mesenchymal stromal cells. Carbon 48:4323–4329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Shi X, Chang H, Chen S et al (2012) Regulating cellular behavior on few-layer reduced graphene oxide films with well-controlled reduction states. Adv Funct Mater 22:751–759

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Caplan AI (2007) Adult mesenchymal stem cells for tissue engineering versus regenerative medicine. J Cell Physiol 213:341–347

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Nayak TR, Andersen H, Makam VS et al (2011) Graphene for controlled and accelerated osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. ACS Nano 5:4670–4678

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Lee WC, Lim CHYX, Shi H et al (2011) Origin of enhanced stem cell growth and differentiation on graphene and graphene oxide. ACS Nano 5:7334–7341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Chen GY, Pang DWP, Hwang SM et al (2012) A graphene-based platform for induced pluripotent stem cells culture and differentiation. Biomaterials 33:418–427

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Dalby MJ, Gadegaard N, Tare R et al (2007) The control of human mesenchymal cell differentiation using nanoscale symmetry and disorder. Nat Mater 6:997–1003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Tang LAL, Lee WC, Shi H et al (2012) Highly wrinkled cross-linked graphene oxide membranes for biological and charge-storage applications. Small 8:423–431

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Wilson BS, Lawson DT, Muller JM et al (2003) Cochlear implants: some likely next steps. Annu Rev Biomed Eng 5:207–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Kotov NA, Winter JO, Clements IP et al (2009) Nanomaterials for neural interfaces. Adv Mater 21:3970–4004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Agarwal S, Zhou X, Ye F et al (2010) Interfacing live cells with nanocarbon substrates. Langmuir 26:2244–2247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Li N, Zhang Q, Zhang Q et al (2012) Synthesis and biocompatibility of amphiphilic graphene oxide. Chem J Chin Univ 34:50–54

    Google Scholar 

  59. Li N, Zhang X, Song Q et al (2011) The promotion of neurite sprouting and outgrowth of mouse hippocampal cells in culture by graphene substrates. Biomaterials 32:9374–9382

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Rossi F, Cattaneo E (2002) Neural stem cell therapy for neurological diseases: dreams and reality. Nat Rev Neurosci 3:401–409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Park SY, Park J, Sim SH et al (2011) Enhanced differentiation of human neural stem cells into neurons on graphene. Adv Mater 23:H263–H267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Tang M, Song Q, Li N et al (2013) Enhancement of electrical signaling in neural networks on graphene films. Biomaterials 34:6402–6411

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Wang Y, Lee WC, Manga KK et al (2012) Fluorinated graphene for promoting neuro-induction of stem cells. Adv Mater 24:4285–4290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Bai H, Li C, Wang X et al (2011) On the gelation of graphene oxide. J Phys Chem C 115:5545–5551

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. Xu Y, Sheng K, Li C et al (2010) Self-assembled graphene hydrogel via a one-step hydrothermal process. ACS Nano 4:4324–4330

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Chen Z, Ren W, Gao L et al (2011) Three-dimensional flexible and conductive interconnected graphene networks grown by chemical vapour deposition. Nat Mater 10:424–428

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Yavari F, Chen Z, Thomas AV et al (2011) High sensitivity gas detection using a macroscopic three-dimensional graphene foam network. Sci Rep 1:166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Li N, Zhang Q, Gao S et al (2013) Three-dimensional graphene foam as a biocompatible and conductive scaffold for neural stem cells. Sci Rep 3:1604

    Google Scholar 

  69. Hu W, Peng C, Luo W et al (2010) Graphene-based antibacterial paper. ACS Nano 4:4317–4323

    Article  Google Scholar 

  70. Zhang Y, Ali SF, Dervishi E et al (2010) Cytotoxicity effects of graphene and single-wall carbon nanotubes in neural phaeochromocytoma-derived PC12 cells. ACS Nano 4:3181–3186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  71. Li Y, Liu Y, Fu Y et al (2012) The triggering of apoptosis in macrophages by pristine graphene through the MAPK and TGF-beta signaling pathways. Biomaterials 33:402–411

    Article  Google Scholar 

  72. Sasidharan A, Panchakarla LS, Sadanandan AR et al (2012) Hemocompatibility and macrophage response of pristine and functionalized graphene. Small 8:1251–1263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  73. Liopo AV, Stewart MP, Hudson J et al (2006) Biocompatibility of native and functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes for neuronal interface. J Nanosci Nanotechnol 6:1365–1374

    Article  Google Scholar 

  74. Firme Iii CP, Bandaru PR (2010) Toxicity issues in the application of carbon nanotubes to biological systems. Nanomed Nanotechnol Biol Med 6:245–256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  75. Zhang X, Yin J, Peng C et al (2011) Distribution and biocompatibility studies of graphene oxide in mice after intravenous administration. Carbon 49:986–995

    Article  Google Scholar 

  76. Zhang S, Yang K, Feng L et al (2011) In vitro and in vivo behaviors of dextran functionalized graphene. Carbon 49:4040–4049

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Schinwald A, Murphy FA, Jones A et al (2011) Graphene-based nanoplatelets: a new risk to the respiratory system as a consequence of their unusual aerodynamic properties. ACS Nano 6:736–746

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (2011CB965004, 2010DFB53890) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31101059).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guosheng Cheng.

About this article

Cite this article

Li, N., Cheng, Y., Song, Q. et al. Graphene meets biology. Chin. Sci. Bull. 59, 1341–1354 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-014-0158-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-014-0158-0

Keywords

Navigation