Scientists program cells to create biological qubit in multidisciplinary research

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"... Now, researchers ... have turned a protein found in living cells into a functioning quantum bit (qubit), the foundation of quantum technologies. The protein qubit can be used as a quantum sensor capable of detecting minute changes and ultimately offering unprecedented insight into biological processes. ..."

From the abstract:

"Quantum bits (qubits) are two-level quantum systems that support initialization, readout and coherent control. Optically addressable spin qubits form the foundation of an emerging generation of nanoscale sensors. The engineering of these qubits has mainly focused on solid-state systems.

However, fluorescent proteins, rather than exogenous fluorescent probes, have become the gold standard for in vivo microscopy because of their genetic encodability. Although fluorescent proteins possess a metastable triplet state10, they have not been investigated as qubits.

Here we realize an optically addressable spin qubit in enhanced yellow fluorescent protein. A near-infrared laser pulse enables triggered readout of the triplet state with up to 20% spin contrast.

Using coherent microwave control of the enhanced-yellow-fluorescent-protein spin at liquid-nitrogen temperatures, we measure a (16 ± 2) μs coherence time under Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill decoupling.

We express the qubit in mammalian cells, maintaining contrast and coherent control despite the complex intracellular environment.

Finally, we demonstrate optically detected magnetic resonance in bacterial cells at room temperature with contrast up to 8%.

Our results introduce fluorescent proteins as a powerful qubit platform that paves the way for applications in the life sciences, such as nanoscale field sensing and spin-based imaging modalities."

Scientists program cells to create biological qubit in multidisciplinary research

Scientists program cells to create biological qubit in multidisciplinary breakthrough (original news release) "Researchers have designed protein qubits that can be produced by cells naturally, opening possibilities for precision measurements of tissues, single cells, or even individual molecules."

A fluorescent-protein spin qubit (open access)

Fig. 1: Photophysics of EYFP proteins and OADF readout scheme.