Enzymes are essential to maintain organisms alive. Some of the reactions they catalyze are associated with a change in reagents chirality, hence their activity can be tracked by using optical means. However, illumination affects enzyme activity: the challenge is to operate at low-intensity regime avoiding loss in sensitivity. Here we apply quantum phase estimation to real-time measurement of invertase enzymatic activity. Control of the probe at the quantum level demonstrates the potential for reducing invasiveness with optimized sensitivity at once. This preliminary effort, bringing together methods of quantum physics and biology, constitutes an important step towards full development of quantum sensors for biological systems.
Cimini, V., Mellini, M., Rampioni, G., Sbroscia, M., Leoni, L., Barbieri, M., et al. (2019). Adaptive tracking of enzymatic reactions with quantum light. OPTICS EXPRESS, 27(24), 35245-35256 [10.1364/OE.27.035245].
Adaptive tracking of enzymatic reactions with quantum light
Cimini V.;Mellini M.;Rampioni G.;Sbroscia M.;Leoni L.;Barbieri M.;Gianani I.
2019-01-01
Abstract
Enzymes are essential to maintain organisms alive. Some of the reactions they catalyze are associated with a change in reagents chirality, hence their activity can be tracked by using optical means. However, illumination affects enzyme activity: the challenge is to operate at low-intensity regime avoiding loss in sensitivity. Here we apply quantum phase estimation to real-time measurement of invertase enzymatic activity. Control of the probe at the quantum level demonstrates the potential for reducing invasiveness with optimized sensitivity at once. This preliminary effort, bringing together methods of quantum physics and biology, constitutes an important step towards full development of quantum sensors for biological systems.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
