New advance in the field of precision medicine. The Quantum Technologies group of the University of Murcia (UMU), which directs the physical Javier Prior, has managed to introduce nanodiamonds with quantum sensors into human cells, achieving unique precision in diagnostic medicine. Thanks to this technology, the platform developed by the Prior team will be capable of detect cellular abnormalities in the human body in its most initial state, acting as ‘snitches’ of the disease before the patient suffers the symptoms of the pathology.
This milestone in the field of quantum physics has been possible thanks to the financial support of the State Investigation Agency (AEI), an organism dependent on the MMinistry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU), which has contributed 836,939.97 euros to the program through different calls.
«Currently we have different platforms for the development of quantum technologies. Specifically, the one we developed in the University of Murcia It consists of the control of the electron of a nitrogen atom implanted inside a diamond. Among the advantages of this platform, known as NV (Nitrogen-Vacant) centers, is its ability to operate at room temperature, its robustness and its biocompatibility, which allows it to be used inside living organisms,” explains the UMU physicist.
The research funded by the AEI focuses, as detailed Priorin «the development of quantum sensors with applications in medicine. Having sensors capable of detecting the presence of individual molecules will allow us to diagnose diseases at an early stage. We are currently working on the development of large-scale Nuclear Magnetic Resonators. nanometer, “which will allow us to detect the presence of individual molecules that should not be in the body and that will act as ‘snitches’ of the disease.”
«Life expectancy today increases thanks, mainly, to three aspects: new treatments, prevention through healthy habits and, finally, early and personified diagnosis of the disease. And it is in this last direction where quantum physics plays a very important role today with the development of quantum sensors,” defends the team director. Quantum Technologies.
His research group uses nanodiamonds where he incorporates this quantum platform to investigate inflammatory processes inside the cells, responsible for the development of numerous diseases. «The biocompatibility of our quantum sensors allows us to introduce them into cells in vivo, giving us the opportunity to observe what is happening inside them. “This technology allows us to advance what is known today as personified precision medicine, taking it to its limits thanks to quantum physics,” he says. Javier Prior.
The control of this platform will allow Spain to position itself in the development of quantum technologies and their applications, mainly in the field of health because “quantum sensors are revolutionizing medicine”, as defended by the researcher from the UMU.
The Prior team is currently in negotiations to found the company Qlaba technology company that will develop another quantum sensor concept known as ‘Lab-in-chip’: mini devices with laboratory functions capable of analyzing a sample of body microfluid with the same quantum principles and which could become domestic. In this case, a type of 100 nanometer channel would be made into the diamond to channel the microsamples and could yield a precise result similar to a blood test or a biopsy.
Its application in an organism could be through implantation, injection or simply, in the case of the brain, with a helmet that covers it and measures the electrical fields of the neurons. Prior also advances that they are currently evaluating offers to participate in their business project of public and private investorsboth national and international, to launch this technology dedicated to quantum sensors with clinical uses.
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