2D Materials: Key Players in the Future of Portable Diagnostics?

@ ICN2

ICN2 researchers have contributed to a new review article exploring the potential applications and current challenges of graphene-based electrochemical sensors, including their use in diagnostic devices for various types of cancer and other pathologies. Two-dimensional (2D) materials such as graphene and its derivatives have attracted considerable attention over the last two decades due to their remarkable properties, which make them a promising option for a wide range of applications. One exciting area is the development of 2D sensors, including wearable diagnostic devices for healthcare.

Recently, two scientists from the ICN2 Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, ICREA Prof. Arben Merkoçi and Dr Ruslan Álvarez, participated in a perspective article analysing advances and challenges of the use of 2D materials in sensing technologies. This work represents an international collaboration as part of the European Graphene Flagship initiative, aimed at advancing graphene research and its application in society. The study was recently published in the journal 2D Materials.

Among the innovations analysed, reduced graphene oxide (rGO), a graphene derivative obtained by reducing graphene oxide (GO), has emerged as a key component in electrochemical sensors, offering high sensitivity and cost-effective production for point-of-care (PoC) applications. The article highlights research led by Ruslan Álvarez and Arben Merkoçi, focusing on an innovative method to produce this material while integrating metal nanoparticles —specifically gold, silver and platinum. This approach significantly enhances sensor performance by improving both stability and sensitivity, resulting in a highly robust material ideal for diagnostic sensors capable of detecting disease biomarkers with high precision.

High sensitivity for biomarker detection

In particular, the results showed that these graphene-based sensors have excellent sensitivity for detecting CA-19-9, a protein associated with pancreatic cancer. The sensors were able to detect very low concentrations of this biomarker (ranging from 0 to 300 U/mL). In addition, the integration of these sensors into lateral flow platforms —a widely used technology in rapid diagnostic testing— opens the door to more accessible, affordable and easy-to-use diagnostic solutions.

In summary, these advances represent a significant step forward in the development of flexible, easy-to-manufacture sensors. In addition to biomedical and healthcare applications, these 2D material-based technologies could be adapted for use in environmental monitoring and many other fields. Reference Proposal for superconducting photodiode

A V Parafilo, M Sun, K Sonowal, V M Kovalev and I G Savenko https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2053-1583/ad9596 Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2)