Researchers Transformed Human Cells into Quantum-Like Computational Units
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists at the University of California, Berkeley have engineered fluorescent proteins to behave like qubits in a quantum computer within a living cell. This research, published in the prestigious journal Science in 2025, could revolutionise fundamental research and medical diagnostics with its potential for ultra-sensitive measurement techniques.
The enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) has been found to have the potential to function as a biological qubit. Its stable triplet state in its fluorophores allows it to be manipulated to work like a qubit, a quantum answer to binary bits. The researchers achieved this by using superfast laser pulses to induce superposition states in EYFP.
The disruption of a qubit's superposition provides information about its surroundings, such as abnormalities from a mutation. In this case, the engineered proteins were able to maintain superposition and track abnormalities within the cell, potentially enabling precise disease detection.
Directed evolution on EYFP qubit could optimise its optical and spin properties and reveal unexpected insights into qubit physics. This approach could pave the way for a molecule-scale genetically encodable qubit sensor, enabling a new level of precision in molecular-level diagnostics.
Protein-based qubits are positioned to take advantage of techniques from both quantum information sciences and bioengineering. The proteins used in the experiment were fluorescent, allowing for observation without the need for dye. The researchers attached the engineered proteins to their mirror proteins in the body, making them an intrinsic part of the cellular machinery.
Existing in a live cell, where enzymes catalyse reactions and organelles are constantly shuttling around, is the opposite of the environment needed for stable qubits. However, the researchers' innovative approach has managed to overcome these challenges, bringing the power of quantum computing into the realm of biology.
While the initial focus of this research is on medical diagnostics, the protein qubit may have potential uses in non-biological applications as well. The study's findings could open up new avenues for research and development in quantum computing and bioengineering.
Elizabeth Rayne, a writer whose work has appeared in various publications including Popular Mechanics, Ars Technica, SYFY WIRE, and Live Science, has covered this exciting development in the field of science and technology. As we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, the protein qubit could be a significant step towards a future where quantum computing and biology converge to create innovative solutions to some of our most pressing challenges.
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