D

Poster Presentations

Symmetries and Spin Dynamics in Posner Molecules: Theoretical and Experimental Approaches

Shivang Agarwal

Description: We wish to study the spin coherence properties of Posner molecules and investigate whether the molecule exists in a six-fold symmetry that is conducive to higher coherence times or not.

Quantum Biology in the Treatment of Inflammation—Relevance to COVID-19?

Margaret Ahmad

Description: Both light and magnetic field exposure regulate intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), possibly also by spin chemical mechanisms involving radical pairs generated during redox reactions. Intriguingly, ROS have potential therapeutic applications, including in the treatment of inflammation. Here we examine the effect of static magnetic fields and infrared light exposure on relieving hyperinflammation in cell cultures of the type causing respiratory distress in COVID-19 patients.

Photonic Cooperativity and Coherence in Tubulin Architectures

Nathan Babcock

Description: Microtubules are ubiquitous in life, and ultraviolet light can be used to control the reorganization of these structures. We use numerical and experimental methods to explore coherent, collective excitation effects in microtubules. This work may have implications for various health and disease processes.

Entanglement Measure Based on the Geometry of Quantum States

Ghofrane Bel-Hadj-Aissa

Description: To exploit the advantages of quantum entanglement in different areas in science, we need a thorough characterization of it. We developed an entanglement measure that is based on a distance deriving from an adapted application of the Fubini-Study metric. This entanglement measure has an explicit computable expression and can be computed either for pure states or mixed states and for qubit or qudit hybrid systems.

An Ultrahigh-Bandwidth Nano-Electronic Interface to the Interior of Living Cells with Integrated Fluorescence Readout of Metabolic Activity

Peter Burke

Description: We show an ultrahigh-bandwidth nano-electronic interface to the interior of living cells with integrated fluorescence readout of metabolic activity. On-chip or on-petri dish nanoscale capacitance calibration standards are used to quantify the electronic coupling from bench to cell from DC to 26 GHz (with cell images at 22 GHz).

Bioelectrodynamics

Michal Cifra

Description: Our mission is to probe and influence biosystems using an electromagnetic field at the biomolecular level. Our vision is to design novel electromagnetic methods for benign and more efficient bionanotechnology and medicine to bring us closer to a world where electromagnetic technologies can painlessly prevent, detect, and cure diseases.

Energy Transfer to the Phonons of a Macromolecule Through Light Pumping

Elham Faraji

Description: In our paper we address the problem of the energy down-conversion of the light absorbed by a protein into its internal vibrational modes.

Dynamics of Viral Evolution

Barbara Jones

Description: We study the evolution of viruses as they enter cells, are impacted by the host immune system, and finally reproduce with mutations. The viral quasispecies then goes on to try to infect other cells. We find a phase transition as a function of host immunity and cell properties. We ask at this workshop: Can this phase transition be imaged by cell-based quantum sensing? There are clear applications of this model to both plants and humans.

Molecules for Second Quantum Revolution

Manoj Kolel-Veetil

Description: Molecules containing unpaired electron on a transition metal or a lanthanide can function as a platform for quantum materials. Avenues for their creations are described.

Expanding the Utility and Range of Quantum and Polymer Dots for Multiplexed Superresolution Fluorescence Imaging in Plants

Zeev Rosenzweig

Description: In this work, we are developing a novel near-infrared superresolution fluorescence imaging microscopy system for monitoring plasma membrane receptor dynamics in plant cells. Semiconducting polymer dots doped with near-infrared–emitting organic dyes are used as near-infrared fluorescence imaging probes of these membrane receptors. We aim to conjugate these polymer dots to antibodies against membrane receptors in plant cells and use these selective imaging probes for multiplex imaging of binding events with nanoscale resolution.

Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy Testing of Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta Tissue

Chris Rourk

Description: Ferritin has physical parameters similar to those of engineered quantum dots and has been shown to support electron tunneling and hopping, using conductive atomic force microscopy (CAFM). There are significant accumulations of ferritin and neuromelanin, another substance that also has physical parameters similar to those of engineered quantum dots, in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). CAFM tests were performed on SNc tissue and provided indications of electron tunneling or hopping.

Synchrotron Infrared Spectral Imaging of Biomineral Microenvironments

Patricia Valdespino

Description: At the Berkeley Synchrotron Infrared Structural Biology Imaging Project we use quantum mechanics of infrared spectroscopy to study biological systems. Our poster is focused on the synchrotron–Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy study of biomineral microenvironments. The transfer of carbon from the atmosphere to the lithosphere is an urgent need in an increasing CO₂ world. In the quest for science solutions to this need, we find inspiration in microbial systems, which have been developing and optimizing biomineral formation for over a billion years. Our model systems are carbonate-forming aquatic microbial assemblages. Our insights into microbial systems and biomineral formation will help to inspire and optimize future carbon sequestration technologies, which is critical to face climate change.

Quantum Sensing in a Warm, Noisy Environment: Understanding Spin-Mediated Effects in Biological Systems

Sam Vizvary

Description: This research aims to explore multiple aspects of the radical pair (RP) quantum phenomena in cryptochrome (CRY) at the nanoscale. Our goal is to confirm both the RP mechanism and CRY’s ability to accurately sense magnetic fields. We will present advances in the building of a lattice light sheet microscope with magnetic excitation capabilities, synchronized excitation and detection, and fast single-photon detection.