Edge-functionalized graphene quantum dot as a nano-biosensor for simultaneous detection of glucose, galactose and lactose

The swift and accurate diagnosis of diseases, particularly diabetes, remains a pressing and critical concern in healthcare. Monitoring blood glucose levels is imperative for diabetic patients to manage their condition effectively. Addressing this necessity, developing non-invasive, simultaneous detection devices for sugars shows immense promise. Herein, we introduce the design of a novel nano-biosensor employing edge‐functionalized graphene quantum dots, enabling the concurrent detection of three pivotal sugars: glucose, galactose, and lactose. Through comprehensive molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate the feasibility and stability of the proposed biosensor. Our results show that the edge-functionalization of graphene quantum dots significantly enhances their binding affinity, with calculated average number of contacts of 2174 for glucose, 1085 for galactose, and 6274 for lactose. Furthermore, the radial distribution function analysis echoed these findings, highlighting lactose’s pronounced interaction with the biosensor, followed by glucose and then galactose. The detailed analysis reveals distinct and non-overlapping sugar bindings on the nano-biosensor surface, with lactose showing the highest affinity and interaction strength, followed by glucose and galactose. This innovative approach marks a significant stride forward in biosensor technology, providing a potential avenue for precise and dependable monitoring of blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.