QIS and Quantum Sensing in Biology Interest Group
Join us for our April 29, 2024 seminar “Controlling Cell Behaviors and Cell Fate with Engineered Magnetosensitive Proteins” with Yun Chen, Johns Hopkins University, 12:00 – 1:00 pm EST, Zoom Details Below
About SIG: Studies in Quantum Information Sciences (QIS) and quantum sensing in biology (QSB) are rapidly advancing for biomedical applications. Many cellular and sub-cellular phenomena such as photosynthesis, neuro-transmission and cognition, enzyme tunneling, mitochondrial electron transfer have been shown to involve quantum physicochemical components. With advances in AI/ML and quantum computer designs, applications in biomedical sciences such as sensing weak electromagnetic signals in neurons and tissues, in-vivo imaging, biomolecular modelling, data encryption, privacy and storage have become fruitful areas of exploration. These developments will impact the understanding of complex disease biology and enable new modalities for drug and biomarker discovery in the next decade.
The QIS and Quantum Sensing in Biology Interest Group was initiated by NCATS within the NIH-wide QIS Working Group. Since quantum science is evolving at the cutting-edge of both computer science, materials technology and biology, activities of this SIG will be of wider interest to data/information scientists, bioengineers, chemists, biologists, physicists, and clinicians at NIH.
Partners:
1. Join us and our international partners for remote "Big Quantum Biology Meetings" organized by Leverhulme Quantum Biology Doctoral College Training Centre (QB-DTC) and the Quantum Biology Tech (QuBiT) Lab at UCLA. Seminars are held via Zoom every Thursday from 3pm - 4pm UK time (7am PT / 10am ET / 11am BRT / 4pm SAST, CEST / 11pm JST). Sign up for reminders at https://groups.google.com/g/bigquantumbiologymeetings.
2. The Guy Foundation hosts online lectures on the role of quantum mechanics and thermodynamics in biology with the ultimate goal that this understanding can be used to advance healthcare. Attendance at The Guy Foundation live seminars is by invitation. If you are keen to attend, please email Betony Adams to register your interest: b.adams@theguyfoundation.org. The sessions are also recorded and available to watch on their website, https://www.theguyfoundation.org/our-conferences-and-meetings, on their YouTube channel, https://youtube.com/@theguyfoundation. For more information about the Foundation, visit the website https://www.theguyfoundation.org.
Goals:
A major goal is to identify biomedical problems that may be amenable for quantum information/sensing applications for the measurement of highly sensitive and specific biological and cellular signals in normal and diseased states. In addition, we hope to illuminate use cases that can be optimized and developed further for wider adoption by the community through enabling development of easily accessible bench-top instrument and portable devices and wearables. These goals will be accomplished through invited seminars, workshops from national and international experts in QIS/QSB, identifying opportunities for learning, training and workforce development for fellows and trainees in collaboration with academia, industry, and government agencies.
Principal Contacts:
- Geetha Senthil, PhD, Deputy Director, Office of Special Initiatives, NCATS, geetha.senthil2@nih.gov
- Paige Derr, PhD, Scientist, Division of Preclinical Innovation, NCATS, paige.derr@nih.gov
- G. Sitta Sittampalam, PhD, Senior Advisor to the Director, NCATS, gurusingham.sittampalam@nih.gov
To join the Quantum SIG mailing list, please visit the Listserv home page QuantumSIG@LIST.NIH.GOV click the “Subscribe or Unsubscribe” link in the right sidebar.
Next Event:
“Controlling Cell Behaviors and Cell Fate with Engineered Magnetosensitive Proteins”
April 29, 2024, 12:00-1:00 pm,
Yun Chen, Johns Hopkins University
Abstract:
Cryptochromes (CRY) are a family of naturally occurring magnetosensitive proteins. The magnetosensitivity of CRY arises from the FAD bound within forming a spin-correlated radical pair (RP) with the tryptophan residues on the protein body. When no magnetic field is present, the spin state of the RP is constantly oscillating between singlet and triplet states. Weak magnetic fields (~mT) change the energy of the states through Zeeman splitting, inhibiting the mixing of spin states. Thus, magnetic fields can alter the relative yield of reaction products unique to singlet or triplet states. We took advantage of this magnetosensitivity in CRY2, a protein that has been widely used in optogenetics, to control cell behavior using magnetic fields. Specifically, we used a recombinant protein that consists of the photolyase homology region of CRY2 (CRY2PHR), mCherry and lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1). CRY2PHR is magnetosensitive and is known to form homo-oligomers when excited with blue light. LAMP1 targets and orients the engineered protein to endo/lysosomal membranes with the CRY2PHR always facing the cytosol. Upon CRY2PHR activation, they would oligomerize and bring the membranes of endo/lysosomes in close proximity, leading to endo-lysosomal fusion. Indeed, we observed a 58% increase in perinuclear LAMP1 when a ~50 mT field is applied to activate CRY2PHR, compared to when no field is present. The increase is due to retrograde transport of endolysosomes towards the nucleus. Our results show that the activity of the recombinant protein is successfully modulated with magnetic field, allowing another degree of freedom of control over cell behavior.
Bio:
Yun Chen is an associate professor in Mechanical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. Her research is focused on developing tools to measure key parameters in cells, understanding the fundamental biophysical mechanisms that contribute to diseases, and applying knowledge gained from basic research to clinical applications. Chen has led a research group making progress on uncharted territories: mechanobiology and quantum biology. Their goal is to understand how altered physics in biological systems can be exploited to manipulate physiology, or how it contributes to pathological processes. Their efforts include developing measurement tools to quantitatively characterize biophysical phenomena, such as axial stiffness of twisted DNA strands, differential force generation profiles and viscoelasticity of cancer cells compared to their normal counterparts, and engineer protein-based actuators to trigger spin-dependent biochemical reactions. Chen's research group is actively developing biophysical treatments based on previous findings from basic research.
Upcoming Events
May 20, 2024, 12:00-1:00 pm,
Connor Hart and Stephen DeVience
June 24, 2024, 12:00-1:00 pm,
Dr. Youngchan Kim
University of Surrey, United Kingdom
Past Events
March 25, 2024
"In the world and at QuantumBasel: the state of quantum computing applications in health and medicine"
by Dr. Frederik F. Flöther, QuantumBasel https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/w7J9qZAFBcwHc81WLRrso95gXcZnps8pCxVewnsTYrX9UjsuR1TgJJobyDRP4Y-R.Oab1bMhkBuL913O9 Passcode: s=e@0H2b
February 26, 2024
"Exploring Quantum Sensors of Living Systems: From NMR to NV Centers and Beyond"
by Albert Siryaporn and Luis Jauregui, University of California Irvine https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/0hAMAqhueJ2P5pDF9PesP2-uuYogU6s0gELjPtjVb_WgH7FcZPhOmizj1RpJRIWZ.saVee4LGVyEqCpji Passcode: =XU1xvQr
February 26, 2024
"Exploring Quantum Sensors of Living Systems: From NMR to NV Centers and Beyond"
by Albert Siryaporn and Luis Jauregui, University of California Irvine https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/0hAMAqhueJ2P5pDF9PesP2-uuYogU6s0gELjPtjVb_WgH7FcZPhOmizj1RpJRIWZ.saVee4LGVyEqCpji Passcode: =XU1xvQr
January 22, 2024
"What applications are the Swedes working on in the Swedish Quantum Life Science Centre?"
by Ebba Carbonnier, Swedish Quantum Life Science Centre, Karolinska Institutet; Göran Johansson, Wallenberg Center for Quantum Technology (WACQT), and Daniel Lundqvist, Karolinska Institutet https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/2WLz3NYcIDQOea47yte6lRwfkqA4q09ZvlMDu7uKxmCaUx64Cgn1kS-Z_UXfLCYE.pt-Mk9x-7xu5myXx Passcode: D56n^.ck
December 11, 2023
"Investigating Stem Cells as Quantum Sensors"
by Wendy Beane, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, Western Michigan University https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/gpfT85w3zKE-RUbPhNhtWmNfMUkw8dSIf6NPK-63EM7vZAaENNzUMnwSyvuMeZgf.otrSSr32i0RbWdsK Passcode: DWDb9Uj?
October 30, 2023
"The ‘Quantum Underground’ – How and Where Life Defeats Decoherence"
by Stuart Hameroff MD; Anesthesiology, Psychology, Center for Consciousness Studies; The University of Arizona https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/DE8y1o31gbazKkCwhvDsKnTRLkN2z6Jt0OfPZPlWiMNZ4qagdfqemfJnB4mLNegM.5NmMG4dCSBLHfveL Passcode: KE&epC2B
September 25, 2023
"Quantum Biology: how nature harnesses quantum processes to function optimally, and how might we control such quantum processes to therapeutic and tech advantage"
by Clarice Aiello, Quantum Biology Tech Lab, UCLA https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/PwXXHOr4rLWzAIXRDwz8Vph4LoSdnbtKpY0Lqx9q15Vw_b_j4jlScFQRYyfneCCl.uGty3hFea_kLkkPq Passcode: lUeJ1Vj.
August 28, 2023
"Molecular mechanisms of Li action in neurodegeneration, effect of Li isotopes and quantum neuroscience"
by Zoya Leonenko, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Department of Biology, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology
August 21, 2023
"IBM Quantum"
by Joseph S. Broz, PhD, IBM Vice President, Quantum Strategy and Growth, Thomas J. Watson Research Center; Travis L. Scholten, Technical Lead for the Public Sector at IBM Quantum; Marilyn Wagner, Head of Quantum Health Care & Life Sciences, Aerospace & Defense and the US Government for IBM https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ftgthtl7z11l4tcg3zx10/video1343663626.mp4?rlkey=qqv2flcgt87oaoomcef64y1xv&dl=0
July 31, 2023
"Beyond Molecules: Harnessing Biophysics and Quantum Mechanics for the Development of Novel Diagnostics and Therapies"
by Nirosha Murugan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Health Sciences, Wilfred Laurier University
June 26, 2023
"Using Fluorescent Proteins to Explore Quantum Behavior in Chromoproteins: Molecular Exciton Entanglement"
Steven Vogel(external link), Ph.D., Laboratory of Biophotonics and Quantum Biology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
April 24, 2023
"Diamond Voltage Microscopy for Neuronal Electrophysiology"
by David A. Simpson, School of Physics, University of Melbourne
https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/V911gLBJ1RhWrSG0c-gpb7eTt4mW4Jrv2QaYkfnWL7kit58Ve9DgQ2574f1g9Teo.ky7jEf7x0pM7Vw6E (Passcode: 7M%#v4^x)
March 27, 2023
"NIH QIS Quantum Sensing Webinar: Nanodiamond Is Forever: Fluorescent Nanodiamonds for in Vitro and in Vivo Biological Imaging"
by Keir C. Neuman, Ph.D., NHLBI
https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/w2-UBgsPz7R9MdejIHip426Pxkuw3ruHBWzY-… (Passcode: IK2Jv9L%)
February 27, 2023
"Photon Correlation Measurements for Quantitative Biology"
by Sergey Polyakov, Ph.D., NIST
https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/hReUjzp3V1CH-AAsfdx5aT2Z8ubUcyrC8LX3a… (Passcode: kae1UH@C)
January 23, 2023
"Beyond the Science: An Industry Perspective on Where Quantum Will Impact Biomedicine"
by Celia Merzbacher, Ph.D., SRI International
https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/Jv9fjxSWEsyqqVeZo74xJCrQdK-XmLxJqpJ-HVv0AQSVAdJ5VVguhdk5zqp9UgRk.oNwexvvfgCYSRsnW (Passcode: +xW4mY&@)
January 5, 2023
"Near-term Applications of Quantum Sensing Technologies in Biomedical Sciences"
NIH Virtual Full-Day Workshop (6.5 hours)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z74MiJ4j8o
December 7, 2022
"A Quantum Revolution in Drug Discovery"
by Shahar Keinan, Ph.D., Polaris QB
https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/OUAnB_P5hlzKaecWGinPLQ9K2ySnOddRe_2OlC_pEWy7kxfEXuKGUs_tzH7ipzKJ.4CKlFujvNRfmLekK (Passcode: !4X*x87q)
November 28, 2022
"Rapid and simple ultra-sensitive diagnostics with quantum magnetic sensing"
by Colin Connolly, Ph.D., Quantum Diamond Technology, Inc.
https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/7Vv3nHyQMx7BFYP1gSaiYpUP1l0fXokTH6j3YDHL4XJR6_M55zABRpe_pPNEIch1.Ksb2cVbIby684qPr (Passcode: nuJx54k*)
Reference Links:
- Emani PS et al., “Quantum computing at the Frontiers of biological sciences,” Nat.Methods, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41592-020-01004-3
- “Quantum Science Concepts in Enhancing Sensing, and Imaging Technologies: Applications for Biology A Workshop,” March 8-10, 2021, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC, https://www.nationalacademies.org/event/03-08-2021/quantum-science-concepts-in-enhancing-sensing-and-imaging-technologies-applications-for-biology-a-workshop
- National Academies quantum sensing workshop publication and summary, https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/quantum-science-concepts-in-enhancing-sensing-and-imaging-technologies-applications-for-biology-a-workshop
- Office of Science & Technology Policy, The White House: Quantum Sensing Technology White paper, https://www.quantum.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/BringingQuantumSensorstoFruition.pdf
- Office of Science & Technology Policy, The White House: Quantum Information Science and Technology Workforce Development, https://www.quantum.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/QIST-Natl-Workforce-Plan.pdf
Scientific Focus Areas
Biomedical Engineering and Biophysics
View SIGs in Biomedical Engineering and Biophysics
Learn more about Biomedical Engineering and Biophysics in the IRP
Computational Biology
This page was last updated on Thursday, April 11, 2024