The real-time and spatially-resolved detection and identification of analytes present important goals for next-generation nanoscale sensors. Low-dimensional nanomaterials may improve the detection of molecular binding phenomena and result in better quantification of disease biomarkers and other bioanalytes. Cylindrical graphene provides a non-degradable, luminescent material for bioanalytical measurements which exhibits minimal toxicity. We developed hybrid polymer and biopolymer/cylindrical graphene nanomaterials to quantify bioanalytes in live cells, tissues, and organisms for studies in disease biology and for assays to facilitate drug development.