Graphene-Based Gene and Drug Delivery Systems Innovations and Applications

Recent progress in the nanotechnology sector has abetted to mitigate the drawbacks associated with conventional therapies' limited effectiveness and medication efficacy after the in vivo drug delivery. In this regard, graphene; a 2D nanomaterial; has emerged as one of the wonder materials in medication delivery systems. Since the discovery of its capabilities in a biological system in 2008, numerous improvements and developments have been made till now in the therapeutic application of graphenebased materials. Additionally, it has been imparted with specific biological activities by both covalent and non-covalent surface revamping which further improves their biocompatibility and colloidal stability. Due to their hexagonal lattice and high surface area, they possess the astounding ability to provide high drug loading capacity via simple preparation methods, which makes them a more fecund material in comparison with other drug delivery systems. The present chapter outlines the exclusive drug and gene delivery applications of graphene-based materials and discusses their up-to-date advances. The chapter also discusses in detail how the integration of graphene and polymers makes them ideal as a delivery system in tissue engineering and nanomedicine for therapeutic approaches. The outlook presented here may help invoke deep insights into the nanotechnology-based drug delivery system for future research.

Keywords: Graphene, Drug, Gene, Biocompatibility.