Signal First Biological Qubit Created from Living Cell Protein — UChicago PME Breakthrough

Summary

University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) researchers converted a protein found in living cells into a functioning qubit, described as a first-of-its-kind breakthrough and highlighted in PME's World Quantum Day 2026 feature. The research was co-led by David Awschalom, Liew Family Professor of Molecular Engineering and director of the Chicago Quantum Exchange, and Peter Maurer, assistant professor of molecular engineering at PME, with findings published in Nature under the title "A fluorescent-protein spin qubit." Awschalom described the approach as using a biological system itself and developing it into a qubit, rather than taking a conventional quantum sensor and camouflaging it to enter a biological system. The protein qubit functions as a quantum sensor that can be built directly by cells, positioned with atomic precision, and reportedly detects signals thousands of times stronger than existing quantum sensors. The work was named among Physics World's top 10 breakthroughs of 2025 in December 2025, recognized for a protein qubit usable as a magnetic field sensor inside living cells.