Graphene-based Nanomaterials in Fighting the Most Challenging Viruses and Immunogenic Disorders

ACS Biomater Sci Eng. 2022 Jan 10;8(1):54-81. doi: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c01184. Epub 2021 Dec 30.

Abstract

Viral diseases have long been among the biggest challenges for healthcare systems around the world. The recent Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an example of how complicated the situation can get if we are not prepared to combat a viral outbreak in time, which brings up the need for quick and affordable biosensing platforms and vast knowledge of potential antiviral effects and drug/gene delivery opportunities. The same challenges have also existed for nonviral immunogenic disorders. Nanomedicine is considered a novel candidate for effectively overcoming these worldwide challenges. Among the versatile nanomaterials commonly used in biomedical applications, graphene has recently earned much attention thanks to its special and inspiring physicochemical properties, such as its large surface area, efficient thermal/electrical properties, carbon-based chemical purity with controllable biocompatibility, easy functionalization, capability of single-molecule detection, anticancer characteristics, 3D template feature in tissue engineering, and, in particular, antibacterial/antiviral activities. In this Review, the most important and challenging viruses of our era, such as human immunodeficiency virus, Ebola, SARS-CoV-2, norovirus, and hepatitis virus, and immunogenic disorders, such as asthma, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease, in which graphene-based nanomaterials can effectively take part in the prevention, detection, treatment, medication, and health effect issues, have been covered and discussed.

Keywords: Ebola; HIV; Parkinson’s/Alzheimer’s prevention; SARS-CoV-2; antiviral effects; graphene.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Graphite*
  • Humans
  • Nanostructures*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Viruses*

Substances

  • Graphite