QIS and Quantum Sensing in Biology Interest Group

Join us for our monthly seminar series on Quantum Technologies (i.e. Quantum Sensing, Quantum Biology and Quantum Computing). Please see Upcoming Events below.

For updates, please join the Quantum SIG mailing list: QuantumSIG@LIST.NIH.GOV(external link). Click “Subscribe or Unsubscribe” on the right

About the QIS and Quantum Sensing in Biology Interest Group

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.

Please visit NIH Quantum Biomedical Innovations and Technologies (Qu-BIT) Program website at https://ncats.nih.gov/research/research-activities/quantum.

Partners

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.
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 at https://www.theguyfoundation.org/our-conferences-and-meetings or on their YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/@theguyfoundation. For more information about the Foundation, visit 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.

Upcoming Events

January 13, 2025; 12:00-1:00pm EST Join Zoom
Decoding and Programming Cellular States Using Biophysical Signals
Nirosha Murugan, Wilfred Laurier University

The language of the modern biologist centers on molecules as discrete objects at the foundations of life. Within this paradigm, the “locks” and “keys” that enable cells to divide, migrate, and differentiate are solids and interact like three-dimensional puzzle pieces in a fluid. Indeed, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids are treated as both the physical building blocks of cells and the means by which they exchange information. Unfortunately, this model of life fails to adequately explain complex biological phenomena such as how the electrical fluctuations of brain cells can become synchronized without physical connections and over large distances, nor how certain animal species can suddenly fail to display their migratory patterns during geophysical disturbances. In this talk, I will explore how biophysical signals, such as bioelectric and biophotonic cues, can be harnessed as universal modulators to influence cellular behavior. Using ultra-low-noise quantum sensors and advanced optical waveguides, we aim to detect subtle changes in sensory neuron activation and alterations in neurocognitive states. Unlike molecular interactions, these signals can be non-invasively tuned and patterned to reprogram pathological cellular states, offering novel therapeutic avenues for conditions such as cancer, neurological and dermatological disorders. This work highlights the potential of quantum sensing technologies to decode the covert biophysical language of cells, enabling the development of innovative treatments that reprogram cell fates and improve clinical outcomes.

Bio:
Nirosha J. Murugan, Ph.D., is a Canada Research Chair in Tissue Biophysics and an Assistant Professor at Wilfrid Laurier University. She completed her Ph.D. in Biomolecular Sciences at Laurentian University, where her research focused on developing tools for non-invasive detection of malignancy and pursued postdoctoral training in biomedical engineering and regenerative biology at Tufts University. Dr. Murugan’s lab now aims to uncover novel approaches for disease detection and treatment by understanding the biophysical signals that drive healthy and pathological cell states.

February 24, 2025 - 12:00-1:00 pm EST
Travis Craddock, University of Waterloo

March 31, 2025 - 12:00-1:00 pm EST
Ezekiel Johnston-Halperin, The Ohio State University

Past Events

December 16, 2024
"Expanding the Horizon: Enabling Hybrid Quantum Transfer Learning for Long-Tailed Chest X-Ray Classification”
Skylar Chan, Imaging Biomarkers and Computer-Aided Diagnosis Laboratory, NIH Clinical Center
Zoom Link: https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/F_2WVbQLihRMX6P-vI2bi0pguGcQ1ea5xBcvWkzYCn2saH0YV7b_yfjD-s9z6rFv.GPjguJ24y6hMrM_0 (Passcode: =?QyV2fT

October 28, 2024
“Next-generation fluorescent nanodiamond for biological quantum sensing”
Marco Torelli, Ph.D. , Adamas Nanotechnologies, Inc., Raleigh, NC.
Zoom Link: https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/zxsr3HwaobtMvVTKxi9ztS_GMPb-iudxDBrP4Ark1in3OlsOF9p20cf6QboohZbY.xBftZ6mEyAeX1Enw (Passcode: 2Xc=%$3m)

September 30, 2024
"Developing an OPM Magnetocorticography System"
Allison Nugent, NIMH Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Core Facility
Zoom Link: https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/ufL6B4kzVXqvfjnx2aKH2lOFzUhYgl415bFnSb5PiAPRoG5OLDAEGrpvxHGS2LmK.cSC6jXr1Uft01V-g (Passcode: ^SCQ3714)

August 26, 2024
"Using Quantum-Limited Sensors to Listen to Biological Systems"
Matthew Eichenfield, University of Arizona

July 29, 2024
"Case studies on physical complexity in quantum states: from quantum phase transitions to quantum cellular automata – with a segue on quantum bio-sensing and engineering"
Lincoln Carr, Colorado School of Mines
Zoom Link: https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/CFj-qCUSDI7yK5UaaVWUDQzUZvsGlWTlI_RFBK_plGp3Sp359Pto4TUwoLzlOL1s.uajCu4sMZtWzcc22 (Passcode: q*2XN.T@)

June 24, 2024
"Quantum Biology in Chromoproteins and its Implications for Quantum Sensing”
Youngchan Kim, University of Surrey

May 20, 2024
"NV-Diamond Magnetic Sensing and Imaging for Biomedical Applications"
Connor Hart, CTO, Quantum Catalyzer, LLC and Stephen DeVience, Founder, Scalar Magnetics, LLC and Principal Quantum Scientist, Quantum Catalyzer, LLC
Zoom Link: https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/CCWwOH9BzCJvAVG9LsieCq5C_ZaQR1bXPHCWVSFyPmA7Yu1XMeGILVt-w7U1zXaE.CsJSFPysIuU2KfXb (Passcode: hh57P.0i)

April 29, 2024
"Controlling Cell Behaviors and Cell Fate with Engineered Magnetosensitive Proteins"
Yun Chen, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University

March 25, 2024
"In the world and at QuantumBasel: the state of quantum computing applications in health and medicine"
Dr. Frederik F. Flöther, QuantumBasel
Zoom Link: 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"
Albert Siryaporn and Luis Jauregui, University of California Irvine
Zoom Link: 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?"
Ebba Carbonnier, Swedish Quantum Life Science Centre, Karolinska Institutet; Göran Johansson, Wallenberg Center for Quantum Technology (WACQT), and Daniel Lundqvist, Karolinska Institutet
Zoom Link: https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/2WLz3NYcIDQOea47yte6lRwfkqA4q09ZvlMDu7uKxmCaUx64Cgn1kS-Z_UXfLCYE.pt-Mk9x-7xu5myXx (Passcode: D56n^.ck)

December 11, 2023
"Investigating Stem Cells as Quantum Sensors"
Wendy Beane, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, Western Michigan University
Zoom Link: https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/gpfT85w3zKE-RUbPhNhtWmNfMUkw8dSIf6NPK-63EM7vZAaENNzUMnwSyvuMeZgf.otrSSr32i0RbWdsK (Passcode: DWDb9Uj?)

October 30, 2023
"The ‘Quantum Underground’ – How and Where Life Defeats Decoherence"
Stuart Hameroff M.D., Anesthesiology, Psychology, Center for Consciousness Studies, The University of Arizona
Zoom Link: 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"
Clarice Aiello, Quantum Biology Tech Lab, UCLA
Zoom Link: 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"
Zoya Leonenko, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Department of Biology, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology

August 21, 2023
"IBM Quantum"
Joseph S. Broz, Ph.D., 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
Zoom Link: 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"
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, 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"
David A. Simpson, School of Physics, University of Melbourne
Zoom Link: 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"
Keir C. Neuman, Ph.D., NHLBI
Zoom Link: https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/w2-UBgsPz7R9MdejIHip426Pxkuw3ruHBWzY-zYW3eb__a6ahsa5Vc7pTVUlcyXz.s0exRncZh0sVVWK6 (Passcode: IK2Jv9L%)

February 27, 2023
"Photon Correlation Measurements for Quantitative Biology"
Sergey Polyakov, Ph.D., NIST
Zoom Link: https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/hReUjzp3V1CH-AAsfdx5aT2Z8ubUcyrC8LX3al-d5TBI6_sXVtNfdiR1ty6JSLPb.KRXMTZiOTqJPXhx0 (Passcode: kae1UH@C)

January 23, 2023
"Beyond the Science: An Industry Perspective on Where Quantum Will Impact Biomedicine"
Celia Merzbacher, Ph.D., SRI International
Zoom Link: 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)
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z74MiJ4j8o

December 7, 2022
"A Quantum Revolution in Drug Discovery"
Shahar Keinan, Ph.D., Polaris QB
Zoom Link: 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"
Colin Connolly, Ph.D., Quantum Diamond Technology, Inc.
Zoom Link: https://nih.zoomgov.com/rec/share/7Vv3nHyQMx7BFYP1gSaiYpUP1l0fXokTH6j3YDHL4XJR6_M55zABRpe_pPNEIch1.Ksb2cVbIby684qPr (Passcode: nuJx54k*)