About Us
Welcome to the QUBE Lab at SKKU, S. Korea!
We are experimental and theoretical biophysicists working on understanding the influence of quantum spin effects on biological function and their medical applications.
Our strong background in spin chemistry allows us to tackle key questions in quantum biophysics. We are particularly interested in the radical pair mechanism and its role in biological systems.
We approach these scientific questions by developing experimental techniques and software, and expertise to provide a comprehensive understanding of the quantum effects in biological systems.
Research
Our group focusses on understanding the influence of quantum effects on biological function and their medical applications.
Our approach
We approach these scientific questions by combining a range of techniques and expertise to provide a comprehensive understanding of the quantum effects in biological systems.
Technique Development
Providing the right tools for the job.
Software and Theory Development
Providing the correct interpretation of experimental findings.
Collaboration
Working with experts in key areas relevant to the project.
Recent Publications
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Single-photon quantum spin effects in biomolecules
Published in Nature Photonics!
The effects of magnetic fields on quantum entangled biomolecules are detected using a highly sensitive magneto-fluorescence fluctuation microspectroscopy technique. This marks an important advance in experimental quantum life sciences at the single-photon level.
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Open-source spin dynamics software - RadicalPy
Published in the Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation!
We hope that this versatile framework provides the means for students and researchers to perform correct and complex radical pair dynamics simulations with relative ease, making it ideal as a teaching or learning tool for creating quick simulations on the fly.
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Engineered magnetosensitive fluorescent proteins
We recently created a new class of magnetosensitive fluorescent proteins (MFPs), which we now show overcome these challenges and represent the first biological quantum-based sensor that functions at physiological conditions and in living cells.
Links
PI: Lewis M. Antill
Lewis is originally from the UK and is a spin chemist who develops experimental techniques, theoretical methods and software for understanding quantum spin effects in biological systems. His PhD thesis at The University of Tokyo (2014-2018) focused on developing transient optical absorption-based microspectroscopy for investigating flavin-based spin-correlated radical pairs. His efforts were awarded with a Best Poster Prize at the 2017 Spin Chemistry Meeting, The First National High School Memorial Award (一高記念賞) and graduated as valedictorian of his graduate school.
During his JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship (2018-2019) at Saitama University and his independent JST PRESTO research fellowship (2019-2023), he developed a fluorescence-based microspectroscope that enables quantum spin effects on biomolecules to be observed at single photon levels. This work was awarded a Best Presentation Award and Best Poster Prizes (by students) at domestic and international conferences and was recently published in Nature Photonics.
He also co-developed the open-source object-oriented spin dynamics software RadicalPy, which was recently published in the Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation. This software is designed to provide a versatile framework for students and researchers to perform correct and complex radical pair dynamics simulations with relative ease.
He then moved to the University of Oxford in early 2023 as a research associate to investigate quantum phenomena in cryptochrome proteins for avian magnetoreception and singlet fission materials. He was shortlisted for a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) at New College, University of Oxford before deciding to move to S. Korea, where since December 2024 (also a visiting academic at the University of Oxford), he has been running his own group that focuses on understanding the influence of quantum effects on biological function and their medical applications in the Institute of Quantum Biophysics at Sungkyunkwan University.
Group Members
Alumni
Master's
- Mizuki Kohmura (香村泉希) (Saitama University, with Maeda Lab)
- Ayumi Fukai (深井歩実) (Saitama University, with Maeda Lab)
- Chiho Jimbo (神保知歩) (Saitama University, with Maeda Lab)
- Minori Fujita (藤田みのり) (Saitama University, with Maeda Lab)
Undergraduates
- Hiroya Matsuda (松田大弥) (Saitama University, with Maeda Lab)
- Wataru Fushimoto (伏本航) (Saitama University, with Maeda Lab)
- Ai Hatayama (畑山愛) (Saitama University, with Maeda Lab)
QUBE Lab
Tackling key questions in quantum biophysics
Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Department of Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University
lewis.antill@g.skku.edu