Quantum sensor tracked in human cells could aid drug discovery

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The image illustrates the quantum measurement carried out on a single atom quantum sensor in a living human HeLa cell. The atom sensor is encased in a nanodiamond particle and is controlled by external microwaves and laser light, and tracked by its emission of red light. The information gleaned is of a quantum nature, where the states of the atom exist in two quantum states at the same time prior to measurement. The measurement and control of the atom sensor provides information about the nanoscale environment of the cell and the motion and orientation of the nanoparticle, which could be used in the development of new drugs and delivery systems for nanomedicine. Credit: David Haworth

Groundbreaking research has shown a quantum atom has been tracked inside a living human cell and may lead to improvements in the testing and development of new drugs.

Professor Lloyd Hollenberg from the University of Melbourne?s School of Physics who led the research said it is the first time a single atom encased in nanodiamond has been used as a sensor to explore the nanoscale environment inside a living human cell.

?It is exciting to see how the atom experiences the biological environment at the nanoscale,? he said.

?This research paves the way towards a new class of quantum sensors used for biological research into the development of new drugs and nanomedicine.?

The sensor is capable of detecting biological processes at a molecular level, such as the regulation of chemicals in and out of the cell, which is critical in understanding how drugs work.

The paper has been published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

Funded by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, the research was conducted by a cross-disciplinary team from the University of Melbourne?s Physics, Chemistry, and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering departments.

The researchers developed state of the art technology to control and manipulate the atom in the nanodiamond before inserting it into the human cells in the lab.

Biologist Dr Yan Yan of the University?s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering who works in the field of nanomedicine, said the sensor provides critical information about the movement of the nanodiamonds inside the living cell.

?This is important for the new field of nanomedicine where drug delivery is dependant on the uptake of similar sized nanoparticles into the cell.?

Quantum physicist and PhD student Liam McGuinness from the University?s School of Physics said that monitoring the atomic sensor in a living cell was a significant achievement. ?Previously, these atomic level quantum measurements could only be achieved under carefully controlled conditions of a physics lab,? he said.

It is hoped in the next few years, that following these proof of principle experiments, the researchers will be able to develop the technology and provide a new set of tools for drug discovery and nanomedicine.

Smallest periodic table fits on the side of human hair (w/ Video)

Smallest periodic table fits on the side of human hair (w/ Video)

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Scientists at The University of Nottingham have written what they believe is the world's smallest periodic table -- on the side of a human hair. The table is so small that a million of them could be replicated on a typical post-it note.

Experts from the University’s Nottingham Nanotechnology and Nanoscience Centre used a sophisticated combination of ion beam writer and electron microscope to carve the symbol of all 118 elements into the strand of hair taken from the head of Professor Martyn Poliakoff, an expert in Green Chemistry. You can see how it was done:

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Professor Poliakoff said: “Although the application was lighthearted I felt that it enabled us to show people how such nano writing is done. Our microscopist, Dr Mike Fay, made the whole operation seem so simple and really demystified it in a most appealing way.”

Professor Poliakoff has become one of the stars of the Periodic Table of Videos. What is thought to be the world’s tiniest Periodic Table was presented to him as a birthday present.

To demonstrate just what the very latest technology is capable of nano technologists Dr Fay and Dr Chris Parmenter took advantage of the freezing weather to engrave the words Merry Christmas into a snowflake. You can see them in action:

You need Flash installed to watch this video

The video showing the Christmas message being carved onto a shard of snow was made for the physics and astronomy project Sixty Symbols.

Philip Moriarty, Professor of Physics, said: “Although writing on a snowflake is on one hand a bit of seasonal fun, it’s also a neat demonstration of the powerful capabilities of the tools that scientists use in the lab on a day-to-day basis. It’s great that, via Sixty Symbols, we have the opportunity to show a wide audience just how exciting academic research can be.”

Working at the most unimaginable scale, the team feature in the latest videos made by the University’s film maker in residence Brady Haran. Presented by experts from the University his short films take a behind the scenes look at science with the aim of making science fun and unravelling some of the mysteries surrounding the technology and symbols used by scientists.

Brady said: “Making videos like this shows that scientists are like everyone else — they do things for fun at Christmas. But light-hearted videos like these have real educational value. They've already been watched tens of thousands of times and a wide audience has gained a better understanding of how electron microscopes work and what they can do. It is just another example of how learning can be quite good fun.”

The University of Nottingham has a broad research portfolio but has also identified and badged 13 research priority groups, in which a concentration of expertise, collaboration and resources create significant critical mass. Key research areas at Nottingham include energy, drug discovery, global food security, biomedical imaging, advanced manufacturing, integrating global society, operations in a digital world, and science, technology & society.

Through these groups, Nottingham researchers will continue to make a major impact on global challenges.

Smallest periodic table fits on the side of human hair (w/ Video)

Smallest periodic table fits on the side of human hair (w/ Video)

Enlarge

Scientists at The University of Nottingham have written what they believe is the world's smallest periodic table -- on the side of a human hair. The table is so small that a million of them could be replicated on a typical post-it note.

Experts from the University’s Nottingham Nanotechnology and Nanoscience Centre used a sophisticated combination of ion beam writer and electron microscope to carve the symbol of all 118 elements into the strand of hair taken from the head of Professor Martyn Poliakoff, an expert in Green Chemistry. You can see how it was done:

You need Flash installed to watch this video

Professor Poliakoff said: “Although the application was lighthearted I felt that it enabled us to show people how such nano writing is done. Our microscopist, Dr Mike Fay, made the whole operation seem so simple and really demystified it in a most appealing way.”

Professor Poliakoff has become one of the stars of the Periodic Table of Videos. What is thought to be the world’s tiniest Periodic Table was presented to him as a birthday present.

To demonstrate just what the very latest technology is capable of nano technologists Dr Fay and Dr Chris Parmenter took advantage of the freezing weather to engrave the words Merry Christmas into a snowflake. You can see them in action:

You need Flash installed to watch this video

The video showing the Christmas message being carved onto a shard of snow was made for the physics and astronomy project Sixty Symbols.

Philip Moriarty, Professor of Physics, said: “Although writing on a snowflake is on one hand a bit of seasonal fun, it’s also a neat demonstration of the powerful capabilities of the tools that scientists use in the lab on a day-to-day basis. It’s great that, via Sixty Symbols, we have the opportunity to show a wide audience just how exciting academic research can be.”

Working at the most unimaginable scale, the team feature in the latest videos made by the University’s film maker in residence Brady Haran. Presented by experts from the University his short films take a behind the scenes look at science with the aim of making science fun and unravelling some of the mysteries surrounding the technology and symbols used by scientists.

Brady said: “Making videos like this shows that scientists are like everyone else — they do things for fun at Christmas. But light-hearted videos like these have real educational value. They've already been watched tens of thousands of times and a wide audience has gained a better understanding of how electron microscopes work and what they can do. It is just another example of how learning can be quite good fun.”

The University of Nottingham has a broad research portfolio but has also identified and badged 13 research priority groups, in which a concentration of expertise, collaboration and resources create significant critical mass. Key research areas at Nottingham include energy, drug discovery, global food security, biomedical imaging, advanced manufacturing, integrating global society, operations in a digital world, and science, technology & society.

Through these groups, Nottingham researchers will continue to make a major impact on global challenges.