NSF supercharges quantum biotech with $37.5m boost
The gist
The NSF is pumping $37.5 million into the University of Chicago’s QuBBE Institute to miniaturize quantum sensing—using protein qubits ten times smaller than diamonds—inside living cells.
What to know
- Genetically encodable protein-based quantum sensors, led by UChicago’s QuBBE, promise precise, in vivo quantum measurements at the cellular level.
- The HQAN Institute is building modular quantum computers by networking smaller QPUs, hitting milestones like four-node entanglement with industry giants and top universities.
- NSF’s $290 million Quantum Leap Challenge investment spans eight institutes, 36 universities, and 30+ companies, building both technology and a quantum-ready workforce.
Quantum Sensors Go Cellular
UChicago scientists have engineered protein-based quantum sensors small enough to operate inside living cells, paving the way for unprecedented precision in biomedical research.
NSF-supported research led by University of Chicago professors Peter Maurer and David Awschalom has pioneered the development of protein-based quantum sensors that are genetically encodable and approximately ten times smaller than traditional diamond sensors. These fluorescent protein qubits enable precise targeting and operation within living cells, marking a significant breakthrough in integrating quantum sensing technology directly into complex biological environments. This miniaturization and biological compatibility address longstanding challenges in placing quantum sensors exactly where needed for intracellular measurements.
The QuBBE Quantum Leap Challenge Institute is transitioning from exploratory quantum sensing to engineering practical biological tools, focusing on novel quantum nanoprobes, entanglement-based sensing, and in vivo quantum measurements. As deputy director Allison Squires explains, this approach designs quantum sensors specifically for the complex biological environments where they will be deployed, rather than adapting technologies developed in isolation. This strategic shift aims to enhance sensor fidelity and accelerate the translation of quantum discoveries into impactful biomedical applications.
The interdisciplinary formation of the Berggren Center for Quantum Biology and Medicine at UChicago exemplifies the integrated efforts to bridge quantum sensing technology with medical research and training. By combining expertise from the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, UChicago Medicine, and the Biological Sciences Division, the center advances quantum sensor development alongside physician-scientist education, fostering rapid adoption of quantum tools in healthcare. This collaborative model promises unprecedented insights into cellular processes and accelerates the translation of quantum biology into clinical practice.
Modular Quantum Networks Rise
HQAN’s modular approach links smaller quantum processors into networked systems, while simultaneously building an industry-ready workforce to accelerate real-world quantum computing.
NSF HQAN is pioneering modular quantum computing by networking smaller quantum processing units (QPUs) to sidestep the daunting technical challenges of scaling individual QPUs directly. This modular approach, widely regarded by experts as the most promising path to achieving scalable quantum advantage, has already yielded milestones such as entangled states within a four-node superconducting quantum network and the creation of reconfigurable superconducting quantum computing modules. By integrating capabilities from leading institutions like the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Stanford, and MIT Lincoln Laboratory, alongside industry giants including Google, IBM, IonQ, and Quantinuum, HQAN is fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem that bridges academia and industry.
Beyond technological breakthroughs, HQAN is deeply committed to cultivating a quantum-ready workforce essential for scaling emerging quantum technologies. Its educational programs have engaged over 12,000 participants, successfully placing alumni into 27 high-profile industry roles, 17 faculty positions, and nine national laboratory appointments. This robust pipeline of talent is critical to sustaining the sector’s growth, reflecting HQAN’s strategic emphasis on workforce development as a cornerstone of its mission alongside advancing modular quantum architectures.
NSF Unites Quantum Ecosystem
A $290 million NSF initiative is forging nationwide partnerships across universities, industry, and federal agencies, shifting quantum innovation from lab breakthroughs to scalable, practical technologies.
The NSF's $290 million multi-year investment across eight Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes, including a $37.5 million renewal for the University of Chicago-led QuBBE and continued funding for HQAN, exemplifies a strategic, integrated approach to advancing quantum technologies. QuBBE is pioneering genetically encodable protein qubits that are an order of magnitude smaller than traditional nanodiamond sensors, enabling direct expression inside living cells to revolutionize biomedical quantum sensing. Meanwhile, HQAN focuses on developing hybrid, modular quantum architecture networks, reflecting a coordinated national effort to build scalable quantum computing platforms.
Beyond funding cutting-edge research, the NSF's Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes program fosters broad collaborations spanning 36 institutions across 19 states, over 30 U.S. companies, and federal agencies like the Department of Energy and NIST. This ecosystem integrates sensor engineering, quantum biology, and scalable computing, while also emphasizing workforce development through internships, summer schools, and K-12 outreach. Acting NSF Director Brian Stone encapsulated this mission by stating, 'It’s time for focused activities to leverage that base of knowledge to drive us even farther forward to the benefit of all Americans,' highlighting the shift from fundamental science to practical, manufacturable quantum technologies.