"These fluorescent proteins that everybody uses as a fluorescent label can actually be turned into a qubit. The idea sounds very science fiction, but the physics isn't new, and the approach has already been shown to work in principle."
"Quantum sensors can detect magnetic fields and are exquisitely sensitive, so protein versions might be able to pick up the tiny signals made by firing neurons or flows of ions, or spot minuscule quantities of free radicals that hint at cellular stress or serve as early signs of cancer."
"We often struggle with the sensitivity of fluorescent labels, so she is intrigued by what as-yet-unimagined science the quantum variants might unleash."
Fluorescent proteins, derived from crystal jellyfish and widely used in biology labs, are being enhanced with quantum properties to function as qubits for quantum computing. These proteins currently serve as essential tools for tracking cellular activity, monitoring protein locations, and testing drug effectiveness. By harnessing their quantum characteristics, researchers can create quantum sensors capable of detecting magnetic fields with exceptional sensitivity. These quantum protein sensors could identify faint signals from firing neurons, ion flows, free radicals indicating cellular stress, or early cancer markers. The quantum versions can be controlled remotely, enabling new imaging technologies and therapeutic applications. Researchers anticipate these quantum-enhanced proteins will overcome current sensitivity limitations and unlock previously unimagined scientific applications.
Read at Nature
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