Although graphene has not been widely used yet, but researches on it have never stopped.
Graphene is a planar film composed of carbon atoms in the hexagonal heterogeneous lattice of sp2 hybrid orbitals, and is a two-dimensional material with only one atomic layer thickness. Its conductivity, thermal conductivity, strength, stability are very strong, known as “the king of new materials”, may have a subversive impact on the entire industry.
Can graphene be used to detect cancer cells?
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have found that cells and graphene interact to distinguish active cancer cells from common cells by Raman imaging, which makes graphene promising for early detection of cancer. The study was published in the American Chemical Society “Applied Materials & Interfaces”.
What is the mechanism by which graphene can be used for cancer detection? “Graphene, the thinnest two-dimensional material known in the world today, is sensitive to changes in its surface,” says Vikas Berry, associate professor of chemistry at the University of Tokyo. “The interaction of graphene and cells leads to the distribution of charge in graphene rearrangement, changes the energy of atomic vibrations, such changes can be detected by Raman spectroscopy.As the cancer cells are more active, easily lead to a higher negative charge on the surface, which can distinguish whether there exist cancer cells.
The technology is still in the experimental stage of cancer mice. The results showed that the technology is very promising, and it will be further tested for patients with living tissue for testing. At the same time, the technology is also committed to distinguish between other types of normal cells and cancer cells. “Once the patient has a brain tumor, we can use this technique to see if the tumor recurs after surgery,” says Berry. “To do this, we need a sample of cells that can interact with graphene to see if cancer cells are still there.”
Earlier this year, Berry and his collaborators also studied nanoscale ripples in graphene, which showed different electrical conductivity in the vertical direction, which was useful for electronics.
With outstanding properties, such as large specific surface area, high conductivity and good flexibility, thinnest and strong strength, Graphene is supposed to make great contributions to human being in various aspects of life!
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