They inject nanodiamonds into cells, which act as “snitches” for diseases.

Group Quantum technologies from the University of Murcia (UMU)which directs the physical Javier Pryormanaged to introduce nanodiamonds with quantum sensors inside human cells, achieving unique precision in diagnostic medicine. Thanks to this technology, the platform developed by the Prior team will be able to detect cellular abnormalities in the human body in the very initial state, acting as “informers” of the disease before the patient develops symptoms of the pathology.

This milestone in the field of quantum physics was made possible thanks to the financial support of the State Research Agency (AER), an organization dependent on Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU), which contributed 836,939.97 euros to the program through various projects such as knowledge generation projects, international cooperation projects of the Quantera initiative and others.

The UMU physicist explained that “in Now we have different platforms for the development of quantum technologies.. In particular, the one we developed at the University of Murcia involves controlling the electron of a nitrogen atom implanted inside a diamond. Among the advantages of this platform: known as NV centers (Nitrogen vacancy), its ability to work at room temperature, its reliability and biocompatibility allow it to be used inside living organisms.”

AEI-funded research focuses on as detailed by Pryorin “development of quantum sensors with medical applications.” Having sensors that can detect the presence of individual molecules will allow us to diagnose diseases at an early stage. We are currently working on developing Nuclear magnetic resonators on a nanometric scale, which will allow us to detect the presence of individual molecules that should not be in the body and which will act asinformers about illness“.

“Life expectancy today is increasing mainly due to three aspects: new treatments, prevention through healthy habits and, finally, early and personalized diagnosis of the disease. And it is in this latter direction that quantum physics today plays a very important role in the development of quantum sensors,” defended the director of the Quantum Technologies team.

Inflammatory processes inside cells

His research group uses nanodiamonds wherever possible. quantum platform for studying inflammatory processes inside cellsresponsible for the development of numerous diseases.

“The biocompatibility of our quantum sensors allows us to introduce them into cells in vivo, giving us the ability to observe what is happening inside them. This technology allows us to advance what is known today as embodied precision medicine, taking it to the extreme thanks to quantum physics,” he said. Javier Pryor.

Control of this platform will allow Spain to position itself in the development of quantum technologies and their applications, mainly in the healthcare sector, since “ Quantum sensors are revolutionizing medicine“, defends the UMU researcher.

In the process of founding the technology company Qlab

Currently the Prior team is in negotiations to create a Qlab companytechnology company that will develop another quantum sensor concept known as a “Lab on a Chip”: mini devices with laboratory functions that can analyze a sample of body microfluidics using the same quantum principles and that could become domestic.

In this case it’s kind of 100nm microsample transfer channel and can provide an accurate result similar to a blood test or biopsy. Its application in the body can be through implantation, injection, or simply, in the case of the brain, a helmet that covers it and measures the electrical fields of neurons.

Pryor also made this assumption They are currently evaluating proposals participation in its business project of public and private investors, both national and international, to launch this technology dedicated to quantum sensors for clinical use.