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Active TRL 2 (started at 2, targeting 3)
This proposal establishes an approach to create a quantum enhanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) device using Nitrogen Vacancy (NV) centers in diamond in conjunction with hyperpolarization and microfluidic components to create highly sensitive single cell measurements. At present, single cell studies rely on amplifying nucleic acids to enhance signals for detection; however, this is impossible for proteins and metabolites. Additionally, technology such as Mass Spectroscopy is invasive, and Raman Microscopy has limited molecular specificity. Creating a microfluidic hyperpolarized NV-NMR technique will perform non-invasive, highly sensitive studies, allowing it to be an ideal technology for studying single cells and signs of life. Furthermore, there are current fundamental challenges that limit sensitive detection of small molecules and single cells using NMR. At present, there has been no direct measurement of microfluidic hyperpolarized NV-NMR for single-cells. Microfluidic devices are beneficial for controlling environmental factors and performing single cell trapping. Furthermore, hyperpolarization allows for the measurement of low concentration samples, making it ideal for biological sensing. Microfluidic hyperpolarized enhanced NV-NMR is a highly sensitive measurement technique that will allow for measurement of metabolites, amino acids and other macromolecular organic compounds, which will further astrobiological research in finding extraterrestrial life.
To accomplish the proposed research, the following tasks will be performed: 1) Detect hyperpolarization effects from Overhauser-DNP and PHIP with comparable signal enhancements and sensitivities to previous group studies at Harvard, 2) Create microfluidic hyperpolarized setup that is capable of incorporation into NMR magnet, 3) Fabricate microfluidic hyperpolarized NV-NMR to successfully detect biomolecules, single cells, and metabolic processes to understand signs of life, 4) Optimize functionality of microfluidic hyperpolarized NV-NMR for under space conditions to understand detection of extraterrestrial signs of life.
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