Graphene and its derivatives in biomedicine: Fundamentals, emerging applications, challenges, and future directions

Abstract Graphene, frequently lauded as the “wonder material” of the 21st century, is recognized as the strongest known substance and has found widespread utilization across multiple domains, including advanced materials research, electronic, and optoelectronic systems, devices for energy storage and conversion, reinforced composite architectures, and heterogeneous catalysis. Since its isolation in 2004, graphene has rapidly emerged as a promising platform for nano‐bio research and biomedical applications especially in drug and gene delivery, phototherapy, bioimaging, biosensing, cancer therapy, and tissue engineering, driven by its unique two‐dimensional architecture, large surface area, intrinsic biocompatibility when suitably functionalized, outstanding electrical and thermal conductivity, optical transparency, broad light absorption, distinctive physicochemical and photophysical traits, and pronounced photoluminescent response. This mini‐review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the distinctive advantages and up‐to‐date advanced biomedical applications of graphene and its derivatives, with particular emphasis on emerging progress in phototherapy as well as drug and gene delivery. Beyond their applications, this article systematically delineates the fundamental aspects of graphene and scrutinizes the principal methodologies for its synthesis. Finally, it highlights the major challenges and future perspectives for the deployment of graphene and graphene‐based nanomaterials in biomedical contexts, furnishing essential guidance to underpin and advance upcoming research initiatives.