Is Graphene Oxide a Chemoattractant?

The use of nanomaterials to regulate cell surface receptors is considered a novel strategy to manipulate cell behaviors. However, recognition is important to drive nanoparticle-cell complex formation. Here, we report a novel approach that uses graphene oxide (GO) as a chemoattractant to lure bacteria to nanosurface, facilitating complex formation. The amount of Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells attracted into capillaries containing 20 mg/L GO was more than 8.6-fold higher than that attracted into capillaries containing 20 mg/L glucose. The inherent mechanism involved interference with transmembrane chemoreceptors and activation of the chemotactic system via GO attachment and a subsequent increase in cell aggregation and migration via self-secreted quorum sensing molecules. The key feature of this strategy is the potential to improve the efficiency of the nanoparticle-cell recognition pattern and to expedite the development of surface-contact-related nanotechnology.