Hygiene is essential for everyday items that come into close contact with the body, including clothing, masks, and toothbrushes. Scientists have now uncovered how graphene can selectively eliminate bacteria while leaving human cells unharmed. This discovery points to a new class of antibacterial materials that could be both safe for people and capable of reducing reliance on traditional antibiotics. Recently, KAIST announced that a collaborative research team led by Professor Sang Ouk Kim from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Professor Hyun Jung Chung from the Department of Biological Sciences identified the mechanism behind the antibacterial properties of Graphene Oxide (GO). This material consists of a single atomic layer of carbon with oxygen groups attached, giving it the ability to disperse well in water and perform a range of functions. Until now, scientists did not fully understand how graphene achieved its antibacterial effects.…