Biologists successfully transform a biological cell protein into a quantum computing unit
Protein-Based Quantum Bit Developed by University of Chicago Team
In a groundbreaking development, researchers at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering have created a protein-based quantum bit (qubit). This innovative qubit exhibits quantum behavior, even in the warm, noisy environment of a living cell.
Led by co-principal investigator David Awschalom, the team's approach was to harness nature to create powerful families of quantum sensors. The new protein qubits could work as incredibly sensitive quantum sensors, even within the complex, noisy cellular environment.
The protein qubit was made by turning a protein from a living cell into a functional qubit. This means it can work not just in pure samples, but also inside living cells, opening up the possibility of using it to create quantum sensors.
The true power of the protein qubits comes from being genetically encoded directly into living cells. This allows for initialization, manipulation with microwaves, and reading out the qubit's state using light.
The advancement introduces a "radically different approach to designing quantum materials," according to co-principal investigator Peter Maurer. The protein qubit is a contrast to traditional quantum technology, which usually requires freezing conditions.
This innovation could drive a forward quantum-enabled nanoscale MRI, providing an unprecedented look at the atomic structure of cells. The new protein qubits could also help biological research by offering a new way to see the inner workings of life at its most basic level.
Recent discoveries have overturned the idea that quantum phenomena like "coherence" cannot survive in a living cell. The protein qubit demonstrates measurable spin coherence and optically detected magnetic resonance within the cellular environment, proving that quantum behavior can indeed occur in a living cell.
However, it's important to note that the new protein qubits aren't as sensitive as today's best quantum sensors, which are often made from diamonds. Yet, this advance could help pave the way for future improvements and open new frontiers for the field of quantum technology itself.
David Awschalom, who also directs the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE), expressed his enthusiasm about the potential impact of this innovation. The development of protein-based qubits could revolutionize the way we observe biological processes, such as protein folding and the early stages of disease, at the most fundamental level.
