First protein-based quantum bit could change biological research

Researchers at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering have developed the first protein-based quantum bit (qubit) by converting a living cell protein—enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP)—into a functional qubit. Unlike traditional quantum sensors that require extremely cold, controlled environments, this protein qubit operates effectively within the warm, noisy environment of living cells. The team demonstrated that the protein qubit exhibits quantum behaviors such as spin coherence and optically detected magnetic resonance, and can be initialized, manipulated with microwaves, and read out using light inside living cells. This breakthrough challenges the long-held belief that quantum phenomena cannot survive in biological systems and opens new possibilities for biological research. Although the protein qubits are currently less sensitive than diamond-based quantum sensors, their ability to be genetically encoded directly into living cells offers a unique advantage. This capability could enable unprecedented observation of biological processes at the molecular level, such as protein folding and early disease stages, potentially leading to quantum-enabled nanoscale MRI