We were very pleased to welcome Prof. Bengt Fadeel from the Karolinska Institute to the Cambridge Graphene Centre for this week’s QAMSS Advanced Technology Lecture. His talk, titled “Biological Interactions of Graphene and Post-Graphene Materials”, attracted researchers from engineering, materials science and the life sciences who were keen to hear insights from one of the leading figures in nanosafety research. The lecture was held on Friday afternoon in the CGC Seminar Room as part of the ongoing Michaelmas Term programme.
Prof. Fadeel presented an overview of more than a decade of work carried out within the Graphene Flagship, one of Europe’s largest research initiatives. His talk examined how the rapid growth in the production and use of two-dimensional materials has highlighted the need for a thorough understanding of their potential impact on human health. Using examples from in vitro and in vivo studies, he described how researchers have evaluated graphene family materials as well as emerging post-graphene materials, including transition metal dichalcogenides and hexagonal boron nitride.
A central theme of the lecture was the structure-activity relationships that govern how 2D materials interact with biological systems. Prof. Fadeel discussed how material properties such as lateral size, surface chemistry and layer number can influence cellular responses. He also highlighted the growing body of work on the interactions between 2D materials and the immune system, an area that has become increasingly important as these materials move closer to biomedical and industrial applications.
Prof. Fadeel concluded by reflecting on the lessons learned from the Graphene Flagship, particularly the value of coordinated, long-term research efforts in understanding both the opportunities and the safety considerations associated with graphene and related materials. He also pointed attendees to recent publications summarising advances in the safety assessment of graphene-based materials.
We thank Prof. Fadeel for an insightful and informative lecture, and for contributing to the continued success of the QAMSS lecture series this term. The weekly Friday lectures will continue throughout the Michaelmas Term until 15 December, and we look forward to welcoming our upcoming speakers.