In a major advance applying insights from quantum physics to the inner workings of biology, a team of WashU researchers has successfully implanted quantum sensors in living cells to measure shifts in magnetism and temperature. The measurements could offer new insights into the efficiency of cellular metabolism in health and disease.

"We were able to accurately measure quantum-level properties within our nanodiamond sensors in living cells," said Shakil Kashem, a graduate student in physics in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis and co-lead author of a preprint posted to bioRxiv. The other lead author is Stella Varnum, a recent WashU immunology Ph.D. graduate.

The measurements focused on mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles within cells. "This approach could help us better understand mitochondrial function in health and in diseases linked to mitochondrial dysfunction, such as heart failure, Type 2 diabetes and metabolic diseases."