Graphene for multi-functional synthetic biology: the last 'zeitgeist' in nanomedicine

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2014 Apr 1;24(7):1638-49. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2014.01.051. Epub 2014 Feb 10.

Abstract

The high versatility of graphene has attracted significant attention in many areas of scientific research from electronics to physics and mechanics. One of the most intriguing utilisation of graphene remains however in nanomedicine and synthetic biology. In particular, the last decade has witnessed an exponential growth in the generation of novel candidate therapeutics of multiple biological activities based on graphene constructs with small molecules, such as anti-cancer drugs. In this Digest, we summarise the different synthetic strategies and routes available to fabricate these promising graphene conjugates and the opportunities for the design of multi-functional tools for synthetic biology that they offer.

Keywords: Carbon; Drug delivery; Nanomaterials; Nanotechnology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Drug Design
  • Graphite* / chemistry
  • Nanomedicine*
  • Synthetic Biology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Graphite