Studying motor molecules, at the nanoscale

University of Queensland physicists are applying quantum physics to single molecule sensing for the first time, creating the possibility of detecting cancer at its earliest stages.

Australian Research Council Future Fellow Professor Warwick Bowen said the research demonstrated how quantum technologies could revolutionise the study of life’s “nanoscale machinery, or biological motor molecules”.

“Motor molecules encode our genetic material, create the energy our cells use to function and distribute nutrients at a subcellular level,” Professor Bowen said.

“Unlike methods currently available, the technique helps us observe the behaviour of single biomolecules without large-label particles or damaging light intensities.”

PhD student Nicolas Mauranyapin said motor molecules drove all of life’s primary functions, but scientists did not yet completely understand their workings.

“Our research opens a new door to study motor molecules in their native state, at the nanoscale,” Mauranyapin said.

Project researcher Dr Lars Madsen said the project applied techniques used to detect gravitational waves from black holes in outer space to the nanoscale — super small — world of molecular biology.

“The techniques required to detect extremely faint signals produced by distant black holes were developed over decades,” Dr Madsen said.

“Our research translates this technological development over to the biosciences and offers the possibility of a new biomedical diagnostics technique capable of detecting the presence of even a single cancer marker molecule.”

Researchers from five countries — Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, France and Pakistan — were involved in the project. Their findings have been published in Nature Photonics.

The project is funded by the United States Air Force Office of Scientific Research, which aims to use the technique to help understand stress on pilot behaviour at the subcellular level.

The project is part of the University of Queensland Precision Sensing Initiative, a joint initiative of the schools of Mathematics and Physics and of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.

It was supported by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems, which aims to develop next-generation quantum technologies for future Australian industries.