Our Research
Our research sits under four user-led 'flagships' in which quantum sensors have the potential to make a significant impact:
Biomedical sensing and imaging
Current imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) are limited by low amplitude signals, leading to long (and therefore expensive) imaging times to provide the required sensitivity to diagnose diseases such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease.
At Q-BIOMED we're using quantum technologies to optimise MRI, boost its sensitivity and decrease scan times – which will aid in the early detection of diseases including cancer and cardiovascular conditions and could lead to new MRI functionalities.
To help identify the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease, we're harnessing quantum sensors to detect subtle changes in brain activity. This could pave the way for a functional biomarker that enables patients, and those at high risk of Alzheimer's, to access new treatments to slow cognitive decline.
We're also developing quantum tools for non-invasive heart imaging to better characterise and treat early-stage cardiovascular conditions.
Quantum-enhanced interventional tools
A visualisation of a nanodiamond in a cell. Credit: Jack Hart
In-vitro diagnostics
Current gold-standard in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) methods, such as PCR, require patient samples to be sent to centralised laboratories, leading to delays and high costs. While lateral flow tests offer the convenience of bedside use, their lack of sensitivity has limited their clinical application.
At Q-BIOMED, we aim to overcome this limitation. We're developing and validating next-generation, ultra-sensitive lateral flow-style tests that leverage the quantum properties of nitrogen-vacancy centres in nanodiamonds. This breakthrough technology will enable a new class of affordable, portable, and highly specific IVDs, accelerating early diagnosis across a wide range of conditions including infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
Magnetic sensors have huge potential in oncology for detecting, tracking and analysing cancer-related biomarkers. However, in many applications they are limited by their large size, which prevents their use in minimally invasive surgery. Similarly, they are often limited by their relatively poor sensitivity, which rules out their use for tracking second-order effects, such as the temperature-dependent magnetisation of magnetic nanoparticle biomarkers.
At Q-BIOMED, we're pioneering new approaches to overcome these barriers. We're building prototype near-field nitrogen-vacancy sensors designed for integration into minimally invasive surgical tools. We're also developing ultra-sensitive optically pumped magnetometer (OPM) quantum sensors for in vivo imaging and in situ monitoring of magnetic nanoparticles.
With these new tools, our aim is to widen the scope and increase the performance of magnetic biomarkers in oncology as well as to advance magnetic thermotherapy for cancer and other local treatments.
Breast cancer cells in lymph nodes, Credit: Dr Lance Liotta Laboratory
Quantum sensors for basic biomedical research
Basic research is crucial for advancing our understanding of disease development and treatment, but sensing on a subcellular and molecular-scale is challenging due to the small scales involved, the low amplitude of the signals of interest, and the complex dynamic environment.
At Q-BIOMED we're aiming to push quantum sensing in biological and living systems to the limits of nanoscale detection to help tackle fundamental questions around biological processes linked to cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and infectious diseases.
This discovery research will complement our other research areas on quantum imaging, IVDs and interventions, and will provide a window into disease evolution and early detection with unprecedented sensitivity and spatial resolution.