Category: Research impact

Seeing deep into the brain without harming delicate tissue is one of the biggest challenges in medical imaging. Researchers from QUBIC at the University of Technology Sydney have developed a new material that could help, one that glows longer and more stably as temperatures rise.

Published in Nano Letters, the material emits long-lasting near-infrared (NIR-II) light, which is ideal for deep-tissue imaging. Unlike traditional materials that fade when they heat up, this one becomes more luminous, making it easier to see what’s happening inside the body, potentially useful during surgery or in areas where temperature changes are common.

This research supports QUBIC’s mission to develop quantum-enabled technologies that reveal the inner workings of living systems. The material leverages the quantum properties of lanthanide ions, pairing special energy levels of different ions to enable more efficient energy transfer at higher temperatures. This design turns thermal fading, a long-standing problem, into an advantage, allowing for clearer, more stable imaging when it’s needed most.

By advancing the fundamental understanding of energy transfer in lanthanide systems, this work contributes to the development of next-generation imaging materials that could support neurological research, where non-invasive, high-resolution access to brain structures is critically needed.

Published paper: Thermally Prolonged NIR-II Luminescence Lifetimes by Cross-Relaxation (2024)

This impact story is an extract from QUBIC’s 2024 Annual Report: read more.

What if we could see the invisible? For example, the tiny molecules that signal disease or contamination without harming the cells we’re measuring.

Centre researchers from The University of Queensland have developed a new quantum-enhanced approach to Raman microscopy that uses quantum light to fingerprint molecules in biological samples in greater detail with less damage. This breakthrough could transform how we detect disease, monitor food safety, and study living cells in real time.

The microscope uses a special form of light called squeezed light that allows scientists to gather more information while avoiding damage and disruption on delicate samples. This is a turning point for studying living cells, where traditional imaging methods can be too harsh or too slow to capture fast-moving processes.

The technology builds on QUBIC’s mission to develop quantum tools that reveal how life works at the smallest scales. It’s part of a broader effort to understand how cells function, adapt, and sometimes fail, all insights that are essential for tackling diseases and improving health.

By combining quantum technologies with microscopy, the team has opened a new window into the living world. This technical achievement is an exciting new way to explore life, protect health, and respond to challenges we can’t yet see.

Published paper: Fast biological imaging with quantum-enhanced Raman microscopy (2024)

This impact story is an extract from QUBIC’s 2024 Annual Report: read more.

Some of the most important breakthroughs in medicine happen at the tiniest scales, like inside our cells, where proteins quietly control life and disease. One such protein, NHE1, plays a key role in helping cancer cells survive in harsh environments.

In a study published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, Centre researchers from the University of Wollongong use powerful molecular simulations to reveal detailed insights into how this protein interacts with potential drug molecules. Their findings offer a detailed map of how to block NHE1’s activity, paving the way for more targeted and effective cancer treatments.

This work reflects QUBIC’s mission to understand life at the molecular level using advanced computational tools. While this study uses classical simulations, it lays the foundation for future quantum-enhanced approaches that could model even more complex biological systems with greater precision. By showing how drug molecules can latch onto NHE1 and shut it down, the research provides a critical piece of the puzzle in designing next-generation therapies, not just for cancer, but also for heart disease and other conditions where this protein plays a role.

By unlocking molecular-level insights through advanced simulation, this work lays the foundation for a new era of precision medicine.

Published paper: Ion Transport and Inhibitor Binding by Human NHE1: Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Free Energy Calculations (2024)

This impact story is an extract from QUBIC’s 2024 Annual Report: read more.