Molecular quantum nanosensors functioning in living cells.

Abstract

Quantitatively mapping temperature within living cells is essential for understanding subcellular biophysical processes; however, existing intracellular quantum sensors such as nanodiamonds with nitrogen-vacancy centers, quantum dots, and fluorescent proteins face limitations in material heterogeneity, cytotoxicity, and thermometric specificity. Here, we present molecular quantum nanosensors (MoQNs) as a next-generation platform for intracellular quantum sensing. MoQNs embed pentacene molecular spin qubits within <i>para</i>-terphenyl nanocrystals coated with Pluronic F-127, yielding a coherent spin system with molecular-level uniformity and long spin coherence times under physiological conditions. By chemically suppressing hyperfine interactions, we enhance spectral resolution and demonstrate spatially resolved absolute temperature sensing inside the cytoplasm and nuclei of cancer cells. MoQNs thus offer a chemically tunable, biologically compatible platform for quantum-level detection of thermal and biochemical states of intracellular environments.