「分子」そのものを生体ナノ量子センサに ～化学合成により性能のばらつきを抑え、生細胞内の微細な温度分布を可視化～

2026-04-30 量子科学技術研究開発機構,東京大学,千葉大学,科学技術振興機構

図１．従来のナノ量子センサと今回開発した分子性ナノ量子センサ

＜関連情報＞

• https://www.qst.go.jp/site/press/20260430.html
• https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aeb5422

生細胞内で機能する分子量子ナノセンサー Molecular quantum nanosensors functioning in living cells

Hitoshi Ishiwata, Jiarui Song, Yoko Shigeno, Koki Nishimura, and Nobuhiro Yanai
Science Advances  Published:29 Apr 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aeb5422

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 para-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.