Live cell quantum multiphysiology enabled by a manipulable single nanodiamond
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Published on: June 3, 2015
Yang Xu1, Yibo Yang1, Yuang Chen1
1Laboratory of Experimental Physical Biology, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
Abstract:
The patch-clamp technique provides direct insight into electrophysiology. However, probing multiphysiology such as local temperature and electromagnetic field dynamics within a single live cell remains a challenge. Here we report live cell quantum multiphysiology using a manipulable-single-nanodiamond-based electron spin sensor. By electrically trapping and integrating a single nanodiamond onto a glass nanopipette, we achieve its 3D manipulation within a single live cell. This enables the first nanoscale controlled live cell quantum sensing of multiphysiology signals under native conditions, providing direct insight into localized intracellular activities. Our observations reveal a spatial heterogeneity in temperature over different sites within a single cell, indicative of local activity-induced heat production. Furthermore, temporally resolved relaxation measurements effectively capture the intracellular free-radical-mediated local electro-magnetic noise dynamics. We find a number of unexpected fluctuation phenomena of electromagnetic noise that may directly represent different types of intracellular free radical generation dynamics. Live cell quantum multiphysiology bridges the gap between high-physical-sensitivity-quantum sensing with high-spatiotemporal-resolution live cell measurements, opening up a new avenue for accessing cellular function with unprecedented capabilities.

