Fluorescent biosensors enabled by graphene and graphene oxide

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Graphene and graphene oxide (GO) possess unique properties making them suitable for diverse applications.
• Fluorescence-quenching properties of graphene/GO are exploited for sensitive biosensing platforms.
• Existing biosensors often rely on labeled probes adsorbed onto graphene/GO surfaces.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the design mechanisms and applications of graphene and GO-based fluorescent biosensors.
• To compare graphene/GO biosensors with other nanomaterial-based sensors.
• To discuss sensing platforms for various targets and the cytotoxicity of graphene/GO in vivo.

Main Methods:

• Summarization of fluorescence-quenching mechanisms in graphene/GO biosensors.
• Review of probe designs (e.g., molecular beacons, aptamers, DNAzymes).
• Analysis of sensing platforms for DNA, ions, biomolecules, pathogens, and cells.

Main Results:

• Graphene/GO-based fluorescent biosensors offer a simple, economical, and programmable detection strategy.
• These sensors demonstrate effective detection of diverse targets through fluorescence recovery.
• Comparison highlights advantages over carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles in certain applications.

Conclusions:

• Graphene and GO are promising nanomaterials for developing advanced fluorescent biosensors.
• The fluorescence-quenching strategy provides a versatile platform for various analyte detections.
• Further research is needed on cytotoxicity for in vivo applications.