Themed collection Graphene and 2D Materials in Healthcare

The coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) disease has affected the globe with 770 437 327 confirmed cases, including about 6 956 900 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) as of September 2023.

Graphene coatings hold transformative potential for brain interfaces. This review explores the physico-chemical aspects of chemical vapor deposited graphene coatings in neurological applications, highlighting the key properties of an ideal interface.

New evidence for piezoelectric nanomaterials across energy harvesting, piezocatalysis, and biomedicine fields, guiding and supporting future drug delivery system development.

Carbon-based nanocomposites are biodegradable and exhibit a low toxicity with mechanical properties due to carbon species. Mechanical properties, such as elasticity, tensile strength, elongation, and hardness are essential in tissue engineering.

The emergence of 2D nanomaterials, initiated by the graphene isolation in 2004, revolutionized various biomedical applications, including bioimaging, drug delivery and tissue engineering, due to their unique physicochemical and biological properties.

The integration of metal oxides into MXene structures has been instrumental in boosting high surface area, electrical conductivity, stability, and sensitivity. This points to a promising future for biomedical applications.

A comparative journey into biomolecular corona features involving proteomics, lipidomics, high throughput in vitro screening, and molecular feature analysis to investigate the in vivo/in vitro bias for nanomaterials testing in biology.

Upon ambient exposure, MoS₂ nanomaterials can reach the nervous system of zebrafish larvae, resulting in a direct neurological damage characterized by neuroinflammation related cell alterations and behavioral abnormalities.

Graphene-based transistors (gSGFETs) enabled stable full-band brain recordings for 5+ months, allowing precise brain state identification and prediction, which is critical both in brain science and neurology.

Graphene-enabled micro-transistor arrays can be used to improve our understanding of how infraslow brain signals relate to changes in cerebral blood flow.

Separation of volatile organic compounds by spectral and time domain signatures measured using graphene field-effect transistor arrays in nitrogen carrying gas medium and correlated to the donor–acceptor number theory and low-frequency 1/f noise.

Synaptic potentiation with increased dendritic spine density is a signature of fear memory consolidation in the lateral amygdala. Small graphene oxide reduces synaptic release and potentiation, preventing dendritic spine increase and fear behaviour.

We co-cultured endothelial and smooth muscle cells in a self-folding porous film to create a vessel-like in vitro model. The tunability of the geometries including curvature and pore size enables us to emulate the geometries of a small artery.

In situ continuous monitoring of bacterial biofilms has been a challenging job so far, but it is fundamental to the screening of novel anti-biofilm reagents.

A double antibody sandwich colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic biosensor for quantitative detection of S100B in serum.

By combining chitosan, graphene oxide, and graphene quantum dots we developed reusable, flexible and compact nanofluidic membranes with “memory effect” that allows multiple cycles of pH-responsive urea/glucose detection.

New concept 3D scaffolds coated with a biocompatible graphene material (GL) obtained by combining additive manufacturing (AM) and matrix-assisted and pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) deposition are potential candidates for bone tissue engineering.

Assessment of the impact of molybdenum disulfide on immune cells (e.g., mast cells) is required to ascertain its biocompatibility in view of its future development for biomedical applications.

This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying GO activated TGFβ signalling in chondrogenic cells. Contact with GO increased plasma membrane tension, activated mechanosensory pathways and endogenous TGFβ-1 as a mechanism for TGFβ signal activation.

Hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles with color centers work as single-photon emitters from within live cells and enable robust photonic barcoding.

Graphene electrode is coated with platinum nanoparticles using spark ablation to enhance the electrochemical characteristics of graphene for neural interfacing. The electrochemical stability of such coating is assessed indicating minimal deviation.

Smart mask capable of determining respiratory profile at ambient and sub-zero conditions.

Few-layered graphene (FLG) treatment increases the functional response of the nociceptive subpopulation of sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in response to irritants specific for chemoreceptors TRPV1 and TRPA1.

Graphene-based nerve conduits for peripheral nerve regeneration. Interaction with non-neuronal cell types: neutrophils and mesenchymal stem cells.

Carbon nitrides represent an emerging class of two-dimensional materials exploited for energy storage, for catalysis, in composites, and in biomedicine. Their biodegradability has been studied under the conditions of the photo-Fenton reaction.

Weak bonding among bacteria phospholipids and less repulsive force when graphene materials approach, result in graphene materials interacting differently with the bacteria compared to mammalian cells.

Full-band recordings, including infraslow components, were obtained with graphene SGFETs from cerebral cortex slices. First gSGFETs recordings from human tissue in vitro were obtained. gSGFETs were also used to quantify both exogenous and endogenous electric fields.

Graphene–Cu and copper oxide nanocomposites showed an enhanced inhibitory effect against the hACE-2 enzyme, which is one of the passages for COVID infection.

Low toxicity in both in vitro and in vivo settings for carbon nanohorns modified with polyamidoamine was observed, and their complexation with insulin is accomplished.

A graphene oxide nanofilm decorated with gold nanoparticles accelerated adhesion of cells by altering mechanotransduction and upregulating the expression of integrin α5β1, thus making it suitable for nanostructured coating for biomaterials.

Carbon nanotubes with carbon atoms at a +3 oxidation number easily translocate through the cell membrane. With cytotoxicity towards macrophages at 10%, cancer cell number is reduced by up to 59% and bacterial colonization – by up to 99%.

The remediation of coal waste into YGQDs with SOD-specific activity and superoxide ion binding in nanomolar range is reported for the first time. The molecular mechanism of its antioxidative and antiapoptotic properties are confirmed in C6-cells.

Long-term investigation of the biodistribution of ¹⁴C-few-layer graphene after tracheal administration: repeated vs. single exposure.

This study shows that 2D MoS₂ nanosheets display cellular and acellular (enzyme mimetic) antibacterial effects.

Effects of GO and rGO nanomaterials on porcine endothelial progenitor cells.

We control the electrical character of a 2D nanomaterial by using the integration of the phage-conjugated polymer and the nanosheet through shape-complementarity processes and design a sensor system for the rapid, sensitive detection of MCF-7 cells.

This work introduces a controlled covalent functionalization using molecular design and electrochemical triggering, enabling monolayer-like functionalization of GFET while preserving graphene's electronic properties for monitoring of serotonin.

A new telomerase activity detection method termed Quenching-Exempt invader Signal Amplification Test (QUEST) is developed.

Positively and negatively charged graphene sheets interacted with human skin and enhanced penetration of Nile red-loaded into the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin. Moreover, graphene's cargo was released more efficiently into the skin layers after laser exposure.

Graphene-related materials are not skin corrosive and, if containing low surfactant residues, not skin irritant, as assessed on a 3D model of skin epidermis using the relevant OECD test guidelines.

The efficient functionalization of graphene with sulfonic groups facilitates the interaction of biomolecules with the hydrogel surface. An enhancement on the viscoelasticity and cell development was observed in the hybrid-sulfonic graphene hydrogels.