Overview

• Researchers engineered graphene oxide sheets grafted with amino-rich polyglycerol and DMMA to create a nanocarrier that flips from a negative to a positive charge in acidic tumor environments.
• The GOPGNH60-DMMA variant emerged as the optimal formulation, offering vascular safety at neutral pH alongside efficient charge conversion for tumor cell binding.
• Preclinical mouse studies showed GOPGNH60-DMMA generated higher tumor uptake with minimal off-target interactions compared with other formulations.
• This breakthrough under the IRP C3M collaboration advances the integration of diagnostic imaging and precision drug delivery in future theranostic nanomedicines.
• The results, published in the journal Small on June 1, 2025, set the stage for expanded in vivo research and eventual clinical translation.