Abstract

Carbon nanomaterials may have captured the excitement and interest of myriads of scientists and two Nobel prizes, but have only just entered a phase of maturity in their development and utilization for medical purposes. Graphene materials that constitute some of the newest nanocarbon types today, have mainly been explored as components of biosensors and for construction of matrices in tissue engineering. The capacity of graphene to act as a platform for various has also been reported, however not as coherently. Among the recent advances made with graphene-related materials, their use as components of innovative delivery systems is full of promise, however there are serious challenges facing these exciting new tools both in terms of biological activity and toxicological profiling in vitro and in vivo. This presentation will attempt to offer some perspective and propose a step-wise approach needed in the development of graphene in medicine. Only through rational and systematic work should we expect to unravel the unparalleled physicochemical properties of graphene materials to constitute feasible clinical tools offering improved functionality and previously unavailable capabilities.