Photoluminescence Architectures for Disease Diagnosis: From Graphene to Thin-Layer Transition Metal Dichalcogenides and Oxides

Abstract

Ever since the discovery of graphene, increasing efforts have been devoted to the use of this stellar material as well as the development of other graphene-like materials such as thin-layer transition metal dichalcogenides and oxides (TMD/Os) for a variety of applications. Because of their large surface area and unique optical properties, these two-dimensional materials with a size ranging from the micro- to the nanoscale have been employed as the substrate to construct photoluminescence architectures for disease diagnosis as well as theranostics. These architectures are built through the simple self-assembly of labeled biomolecular probes with the substrate material, leading to signal quenching. Upon the specific interaction of the architecture with a target biomarker, the signal can be spontaneously restored in a reversible manner. Meanwhile, by co-loading therapeutic agents and employing the inherent photo-thermal properties of the material substrates, a combined disease imaging and therapy (theranostics) can be achieved. This review highlights the latest advances in the construction and application of graphene and TMD/O based thin-layer material composites for single-target and multiplexed detection of a variety of biomarkers and theranostics. These versatile material architectures, owing to their ease in preparation, low cost and flexibility in functionalization, provide promising tools for both basic biochemical research and clinical applications.

Targeted fluorescence imaging enhanced by 2D materials: a comparison between 2D MoS2 and graphene oxide

“…This study may also provide insight into the development of other effective low-dimensional materials for targeted theranostics. [36][37][38][39] …”

Ratiometric Detection of β‐Amyloid and Discrimination from Lectins by a Supramolecular AIE Glyconanoparticle

“…Notably, different ratiometric signals (emission colors) could be produced by the addition of different analytes (A β peptide/fibril or lectin), thereby enabling a ratiometric discrimination between the analytes that both interact with the material. The strategy developed here provides insight into the development of new multifunctional probes for the ratiometric detection of biomacromolecules based on a diverse range of AIEgens and other materials …”

Graphene based biosensors—Accelerating medical diagnostics to new-dimensions

“…GO can fluoresce by photo-exciting with a wide range of wavelengths [from near infra-red (NIR) region to ultra-violet (UV) emission] due to its heterogeneous structure. 117,118 It is also popular as an effective fluorescence quenching materials that makes it suitable for FRET biosensors where an excitation on another molecule can transfer nonradiatively to GO, or vice-versa. Since the fluorescence quenching is distance dependent, FRET can determine the molecular distances and interactions between domains in a single protein or between proteins, which corresponds to the efficiency of energy transfer between an acceptor and a donor located at two distinct sites with separation limited to a range of 10-80 Å through luminescent spectral measurements.…”