Graphene-based nanomaterials for drug delivery and tissue engineering

Nanomaterials offer interesting physicochemical and biological properties for biomedical applications due to their small size, large surface area and ability to interface/interact with the cells/tissues. Graphene-based nanomaterials are fast emerging as "two-dimensional wonder materials" due to their unique structure and excellent mechanical, optical and electrical properties and have been exploited in electronics and other fields. Emerging trends show that their exceptional properties can be exploited for biomedical applications, especially in drug delivery and tissue engineering. This article presents a comprehensive review of various types and properties of graphene family nanomaterials. We further highlight how these properties are being exploited for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.