In recent years, as a new type of nanomaterials, graphene has attracted considerable attention of many different fields because of its unique physicochemical and material properties. Graphene oxide (GO) is one of its derivatives. The surface of GO contains various oxygenated functional groups, which result in better water solubility than graphene. Therefore, the potential applications of GO in biological medicine field is quite promising. This paper reviews research progresses of the antibacterial activity and biological safety of GO.