Researchers at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) have successfully transformed a protein commonly found in living cells into a functional quantum bit, or qubit. This groundbreaking achievement, published on August 20, 2025, in the journal Nature, demonstrates the potential for integrating quantum capabilities directly into biological systems, operating effectively under ambient conditions.
The protein at the heart of this innovation is Enhanced Yellow Fluorescent Protein (EYFP), a molecule already widely used in biological research for its fluorescent properties. The UChicago team has shown that EYFP can exhibit quantum characteristics, specifically its spin properties, which can be manipulated and read out using light and microwaves. This development bypasses the need for the extreme low temperatures typically required for quantum computing components, a major hurdle for many existing quantum technologies.
This breakthrough is particularly noteworthy because it allows for the EYFP protein to be integrated directly into living cells, maintaining its quantum coherence even within the complex and dynamic environment of physiological conditions. This opens up unprecedented avenues for developing quantum sensors that can operate within biological systems, offering new ways to probe and understand life at the molecular level.
The research was co-led by David Awschalom, a distinguished professor at UChicago PME and director of the Chicago Quantum Exchange, alongside Peter Maurer. Awschalom, a leading figure in quantum information science, highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of the work, stating, "We are entering an era where the line between quantum physics and biology begins to blur. This is where true transformative science will happen."
The study received crucial funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. This advancement represents a pivotal moment in the convergence of quantum physics and biology. The ability to create biocompatible quantum sensors from proteins could revolutionize fields such as disease detection and real-time monitoring of biological processes.
While current protein-based qubits may not yet match the sensitivity of established systems like diamond defects, their inherent biocompatibility and potential for genetic encoding offer a unique pathway for future innovation in quantum sensing and bio-integrated quantum technologies.