title: Prospects and challenges of graphene in biomedical applications.
abstract: Graphene materials have entered a phase of maturity in their development that is characterized by their explorative utilization in various types of applications and fields from electronics to biomedicine. Herein, we describe the recent advances made with graphene-related materials in the biomedical field and the challenges facing these exciting new tools both in terms of biological activity and toxicological profiling in vitro and in vivo. Graphene materials today have mainly been explored as components of biosensors and for construction of matrices in tissue engineering. Their antimicrobial activity and their capacity to act as drug delivery platforms have also been reported, however, not as coherently. This report will attempt to offer some perspective as to which areas of biomedical applications can expect graphene-related materials to constitute a tool offering improved functionality and previously unavailable options.
authors.affiliation: Nanomedicine Laboratory, Centre for Drug Delivery Research, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bitounis
authors.forename: Hanene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ali-Boucetta
authors.forename: Byung Hee
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Dal-Hee
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Kostas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kostarelos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D023822:Tissue Engineering
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004337:Drug Carriers; D006108:Graphite