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Probing Cellular Activity Via Charge-Sensitive Quantum Nanoprobes
Uri Zvi1, Shivam Mundhra2, David Ovetsky1
1Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|February 5, 2026
Summary
We developed a new quantum sensing method using nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers to detect cellular activity. This technique reliably indicates inflammation by measuring charge shifts, offering a novel tool for biological research.
Area of Science:
- Quantum sensing
- Biophysics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) quantum sensors offer high sensitivity for single-cell analysis.
- Mapping quantum measurements to cellular states remains a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce a novel quantum sensing modality for detecting cellular activity changes.
- Establish a foundation for probing complex cellular processes using physical measurements.
Main Methods:
- Detecting environment-induced charge depletion in individual particles via transverse dipole term.
- Measuring shifts in zero-field splitting (ZFS) as an indicator of cellular response.
- Utilizing surface modification of diamond nanoprobes to suppress environmental shifts.
Main Results:
- Charge-induced ZFS shifts reliably indicate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammatory response in macrophages.
- Surface modification differentiates electrostatic shifts from temperature variations and reduces toxicity.
- Demonstrated a new sensing modality for complex cellular processes.
Conclusions:
- The novel quantum sensing modality provides a reliable indicator of cellular inflammatory response.
- Surface modification enhances sensor specificity and biocompatibility.
- Findings advance NV spectroscopy in biological settings and single-cell analysis.
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