The tools for exceeding the classical limits and accessing new information are the same: quantum coherence and correlations. Coherent quantum systems enable interferometric measurements at the nanoscale, while quantum correlations permit exquisite control over multiple interactions by changing the probabilities.
Up to this point, we have imposed a sort of hierarchy looking at organisms, tissue, cells, and molecules, and we have probed subsystems within this hierarchy…but again and again, we are surprised when these subsystems couple in important, unforeseen ways. Correlative probes using quantum light and electrons provide a new paradigm where these observations of coupling and correlation are natural and easily observed because biology is not constrained by the particular hierarchy that we must impose to break the system down into chemical or biological subunits.
Biology and quantum science are convergent fields. NSF QuBBE will dramatically accelerate this convergence by driving use-inspired development of quantum sensing modalities and novel correlative imaging approaches. Fundamental basics science in both biology and quantum will work in tandem to create transferrable technology platforms for novel biological measurements. NSF QuBBE will further develop the next generation of scientists and workers familiar with this technology, inspire young students to pursue STEM education, and foster an understanding of quantum science in the next generation.
Welcome to Dr. Kamran Mobarhan, who is joining QuBBE as the Director of Business Management and Strategic Initiatives for the NSF QuBBE Quantum Leap Challenge Institute.
Work from the Mazziotti group looking at quantum dynamics in biology featured on CBS news.
Congratulations to QuBBE summer researcher Mya Nash on launching her graduate career at UChicago.
The Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative is launching a new $275M BioHub in Chicago to address immunity and inflammation with quantum sensing as a key technological pillar.
Greg Engel, Valerie Goss, and Peter Maurer presented at the National Quantum Initiative Center Summit at the White House to focus on building the country's capabilities and workforce in Quantum Science and Engineering.
Congratulations to Bernadette Miao, an undergraduate with the Tian Group, who has been selected as a UChicago Student Marshal -- the highest undergraduate distinction at the University.
K.M. Xiang, H. Lampson, R.F. Hayward, A.G. York, M. Ingaramo, and A.E. Cohen, "Mechanism of Giant Magnetic Field Effect in Fluorescence of Mscarlet3, a Red Fluorescent Protein", bioRxiv 2025.2002. 2026.640351 (2025)
Q. Wang, R. D'Cunha, A. Mitra, Y. Alexeev, S.K. Gray, M. Otten, and L. Gagliardi, "Non-Unitary Variational Quantum Eigensolver with the Localized Active Space Method and Cost Mitigation", arXiv preprint arXiv:2501.13371 (2025)
S.H. Sohail, S. Sohoni, P.-C. Ting, L.R. Fantz, S.M. Abdulhadi, C. MacGregor-Chatwin, A. Hitchcock, C.N. Hunter, G.S. Engel, and S.C. Massey, "Functional Connectivity of Red Chlorophylls in Cyanobacterial Photosystem I Revealed by Fluence-Dependent Transient Absorption", The Journal of Physical Chemistry B (2025)
J. Shi, P. Li, S. Kim, and B. Tian, "Implantable Bioelectronic Devices for Photoelectrochemical and Electrochemical Modulation of Cells and Tissues", Nature Reviews Bioengineering (2025)
A.O. Schouten, and D.A. Mazziotti, "Exciton-Condensate-Like Energy Transport in Light-Harvesting Complex 2", PRX Energy 4 013004 (2025)
H. Park, M. Onizhuk, E. Lee, H. Lim, J. Lee, S. Oh, G. Galli, and H. Seo, "Quantum Decoherence of Nitrogen-Vacancy Spin Ensembles in a Nitrogen Spin Bath in Diamond under Dynamical Decoupling", arXiv preprint arXiv:2503.05404 (2025)