QLCI-CI: NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Quantum Sensing in Biophysics and Bioengineering

量子传感有可能彻底改变人们对生物学和人类健康的内部工作原理--分子基础--的理解。量子传感将以纳米分辨率和单分子灵敏度探测生物系统的物理性质，解决离子、分子、细胞和组织之间的微观关系，同时还可以阐明动力学。生物物理和生物工程量子传感研究所将创造新型的生物兼容量子传感器，并将这些量子传感器嵌入生物系统，以提取新信息，并获得对生物过程的控制，这些过程到目前为止还遥不可及。该研究所汇集了来自材料科学、物理、化学、工程、生物和医学的研究人员，每一步都在并肩工作，以确定和解决这些明显的跨学科挑战。该研究所将通过创建量子学院(K-12)和量子研究所(专上劳动力培训)来培训未来的量子技术劳动力。这些计划将与芝加哥服务不足的社区合作，让学生接触量子科学，并培训教师开发量子科学课程。这些项目不仅向学生展示材料，还向他们展示科学过程，帮助他们理解量子科学，并将自己视为科学家。这些项目还将为受训者与量子技术领域的潜在雇主牵线搭桥。生物物理和生物工程量子传感挑战研究所将开发生物兼容的量子材料，建立细胞内量子传感和成像的协议，并展示量子测量在生物和医学中的应用。这项研究主要集中在四个方面。在传感推力方面，该项目将定义新的生物兼容探测器，以实现在时间和/或空间上相关的量子测量。在生物靶向推力中，将确保材料兼容性和生物化学特异性靶向，并将开发传感协议，以克服将量子传感器集成到活细胞中的相关问题。在相关的成像推力中，该研究所将开发受控测试用例、图像处理技术和重建工具，利用经典和量子关联为生物系统成像。重要的是，这三个推力与第四个推力紧密相连，以生物物理和生物重大挑战为中心，帮助离子通道、力网络、生物电学和细胞通信中的图像动力学。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Quantum sensing has the potential to revolutionize understanding of the inner workings—the molecular underpinnings—of biology and human health. Quantum sensing will allow probing the physical properties of biological systems with nanometer resolution and single-molecule sensitivity, resolving the microscopic relationships among ions, molecules, cells, and tissues while also elucidating dynamics. The Institute for Quantum Sensing in Biophysics and Bioengineering will create new types of biocompatible quantum sensors and embed these quantum sensors within biological systems to extract new information and gain control over biological processes that, until now, have been beyond reach. The Institute brings together researchers from materials science, physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, and medicine working side-by-side at every step to define and tackle these manifestly interdisciplinary challenges.The Institute will train the future quantum technology workforce by creating a Quantum Academy (for K-12) and Quantum Institute (post-secondary workforce training). These programs will work with underserved communities within Chicago, exposing students to quantum science and training teachers in the development of quantum science curriculum. These programs seek to show students not only the material, but also the scientific process, to help them understand quantum science and see themselves as scientists. The programs also will match trainees with potential employers in quantum technology fields.The Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Quantum Sensing in Biophysics and Bioengineering will develop biocompatible quantum materials, establish protocols for quantum sensing and imaging within cells, and demonstrate the utility of quantum measurements in biology and medicine. The research is focused on four thrusts. In the sensing thrust, this project will define novel biocompatible probes to enable quantum measurements that are correlated in time and/or space. In the biological targeting thrust, material compatibility and biochemical specific targeting will be ensured, and sensing protocols will be developed to overcome issues related to integrating quantum sensors into living cells. In the correlative imaging thrust, the Institute will develop controlled test cases, image processing techniques, and reconstruction tools that exploit both classical and quantum correlations for imaging biological systems. Importantly, these three thrusts are tightly connected to a fourth thrust centered on biophysical and biological grand challenges to help image dynamics in ion channels, force networks, bioelectricity, and cellular communication.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.