First Quantum Biosensor Detects Cell Changes Rapidly

In the development of diseases such as muscular dystrophy, cancer, Ebola and Dengue, numerous chemical reactions take place within and between cells which contribute to disease progression. These changes can occur in less than the blink of an eye - within microseconds or faster - making them difficult to analyse. Quantum sensing offers a way to monitor these changes, helping researchers determine when, where and how rapid biological processes occur.

Effect of medicine

'It's incredibly important to know how a certain type of disease develops, and where exactly reactions occur because of the effect of medicine in a biological system with relation to space and time', explains principal researcher Alireza Mashaghi. 'Many medicines target proteins that regulate reactions inside cells. Because the same protein can exist in different locations and functional states within a cell, it may drive different reactions depending on its sub-cellular location. Without knowing when and where these reactions occur, treatments may be less effective or lead to unwanted side effects.'

Mashaghi has spent his career studying biological changes in the body on the cellular level, drawing on disciplines such as biology, chemistry and mathematics. 'With its internationally recognised expertise in interdisciplinary medical and pharmaceutical research, Professor Alireza Mashaghi's laboratory offers an outstanding environment to demonstrate the potential of quantum biosensing', said Dr. Deepak Veeregowda, CEO of QT Sense. Mashaghi's lab collaborated with this Dutch company to make the implementation of the facility possible.

No labelling required

From his office, Mashaghi now looks out on the Leiden quantum biosensor facility - the first of its kind in the world. The system can detect extremely rapid and subtle chemical changes without external intervention, such as labelling cells with dyes to extract information from them. That it does so without such labels means that delicate structures will not be disrupted during observations. This is a major advantage.

'The environments we study are extremely sensitive', says Mashaghi. 'Even the slightest disturbance can cause changes. You need to avoid introducing changes through external factors because the goal is to observe how diseases develop naturally.'

Diamonds and magnets

In simple terms, Mashaghi's lab installation is like a large microscope. Beneath it are experimental cell models: chips containing cells or subcellular parts that simulate specific diseases. The microscope 'looks' at these samples by observing an extraordinarily small diamond - less than 100 nanometres wide - which respond to changes in the local environment.

Through a process involving quantum technology and magnetism, these diamonds can detect extremely subtle changes in cells. This is represented by the diamonds emitting a change in their light during measurements. Any changes to their immediate environment alter the intensity of that light. Another major advantage of the installation is that each change is recorded in high-resolution images, allowing scientists to see the location of said change in real time.

Artificial disease models

At present, the installation is used to study artificial disease models, but Mashaghi has future projects planned to determine the possibility of studying organs-on-a-chip or samples taken from the human body.

The quantum biosensor will also play an important role in new and existing collaborations, says Mashaghi. 'We're interested in studying muscular dystrophy, a group of disorders in which the muscles gradually weaken and break down. We're also collaborating with various pharmaceutical companies to develop new drugs. The goal of our installation is ultimately very simple: to set a new worldwide standard for research within cells.'

Image above: The quantum biosensor at the Mashaghi lab. From left to right: Russell Quinn, Alireza Mashaghi, Vahid Sheikhhassani.