Scientists at the University of Chicago have achieved a significant breakthrough by engineering fluorescent proteins to function as "biocubits," or biological qubits. This pioneering work allows these biocubits to exist in multiple states simultaneously through superposition, a core principle of quantum mechanics.
This advancement enables quantum sensing within living cells, facilitating the detection of magnetic and electrical signals at a microscopic scale. The research, published in Nature, demonstrates that these protein-based qubits can operate effectively within complex biological environments, including Escherichia coli bacteria, even at room temperature. While the protein qubits currently maintain their quantum state for approximately 16 microseconds, this represents a crucial step in integrating quantum technology with biological systems.
The research team developed a specialized microscope utilizing laser illumination to observe the quantum states of these biocubits. Experiments were conducted using purified proteins, human cheek cells, and E. coli bacteria. The fluorescent proteins, such as enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP), are genetically encodable and can be naturally produced by cells. This offers a novel approach to designing quantum materials and sensors, bypassing the need for traditional, often cumbersome, quantum devices that require extreme cooling.
The implications of this research are far-reaching, particularly for the burgeoning field of quantum biology. This interdisciplinary area explores the influence of quantum mechanics on biological processes and is attracting substantial investment. Potential applications include transformative advancements in healthcare, such as precision medicine and accelerated drug discovery through quantum simulations of molecular interactions. Furthermore, these quantum sensing platforms could provide new methods for probing biological systems at the single-cell level, with potential uses in immunology and oncology. The development of functional biological qubits within cells opens exciting avenues for future scientific discovery and technological innovation. This pioneering work was supported by the creation of the Berggren Center for Quantum Biology and Medicine at the University of Chicago, thanks to a generous donation of $21 million.