Precision measurement in live matter with quantum probes
Abstract
Precision measurements in live matter enables understanding and quantitative modeling of biological systems like living cells, which could potentially revolutionize biology and its applications in medicine. Our goal is to investigate the physical limits of biological sensing and signal processing by performing precision quantum measurements on the nitrogen vacancy (NV) embedded in nanodiamonds. Using these quantum sensors, we will generate single-molecule resolved physical maps in living mammalian cells, organelles and proteins during immune signaling and cell-to-cell interactions. Currently, probing single molecule interactions in living cells is extremely challenging due to thermal background, molecular crowding, and the technical limitations in culturing and time-dependent monitoring of individual cells. Quantum probes provide unprecedented room-temperature sensitivity, temporal and spatial resolution and therefore have the potential to study previously prohibited aspects of living systems. We will combine quantum sensors and pump-probe spectroscopy methods and microfluidic single cell analysis methods we pioneered to study immune cell signaling with relevant resolution to understand the role of single molecule interactions in biological information processing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 14, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1910009
Entities
People
- Savas Tay
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Chicago