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The National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology


Molecular quantum nanosensors reveal temperature and radical signals inside living cells

Researchers developed biocompatible molecular quantum nanosensors that operate inside living cells, enabling absolute temperature measurements with subcellular spatial resolution. The sensors also detect radical-related spin signals in the cytoplasm and nucleus of cancer cells.,

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 29, 2026

Carbon-ion therapy spares surgery for early breast cancer

A study published by the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology found that carbon-ion radiotherapy provided durable tumor control with minimal side effects while preserving breast appearance in carefully selected patients who were unable or unwilling to undergo surgery. The treatment resulted in excellent local control ...

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 22, 2026

Quantum tools set to transform life science

A team at Japan's National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology has published a roadmap outlining the societal payoff of quantum technologies in life science. The study highlights three pillars: cell-scale diamond sensors, practical hyperpolarized MRI, and quantum biology, which enable earlier disease detection, faster drug de...

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalACS Nano·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJan 15, 2026

Gamma rays quickly toughen nitrogen‑fixing bacteria

Researchers at QST discovered that controlled gamma-ray mutagenesis can create heat-tolerant nitrogen-fixing bacteria in weeks, shortening development timelines. The method produces robust, climate-ready microbial products for agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and biofuel production.

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalMutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

Soft gel breakthrough enables lab-grown slow-twitch muscles

Researchers developed a gel-like material that mimics the softness and microstructure of slow-twitch muscle tissue, successfully cultivating cells with genetic and metabolic traits of slow-twitch fibers. The technology has far-reaching implications for regenerative medicine, drug screening, and muscle transplantation therapies.

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 3, 2025

Electron beam irradiation helping to turn plastic waste into gas

Researchers at National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology developed a technique to decompose polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) into gaseous products using electron beam irradiation. This process reduces energy required by 50% compared to traditional methods, making large-scale recycling of fluoropolymers more viable.

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalRadiation Physics and Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2025

Mood disorders in late-life may be early warning signs for dementia

Research found that approximately 50% of participants with late-life depression and bipolar disorder showed tau accumulation in their brains, compared to only about 15% of healthy controls. The study suggests that neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, can initially manifest as psychiatric symptoms.

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeObservational study·DateJun 9, 2025

Revealing the neuronal pathways involved in adaptive decision-making in primates

Researchers found that distinct brain pathways from the orbitofrontal cortex are necessary for experience-based and knowledge-based adaptation. The findings have implications for understanding individual differences in thinking styles and may lead to personalized strategies for improving decision-making skills.

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2024

Piecing the puzzle together: How different brain regions contribute to visual object memory

Researchers identified key brain areas, including aVTC and OFC, essential for visual object memory in macaques. Single-neuron recordings revealed top-down regulation and causal information flow between these regions, shedding light on short-term visual object memory mechanisms.

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2024

Visualizing core pathologies of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders in live patients

A novel radiotracer, C05-05, enables multi-scale imaging of α-synuclein depositions in living patients with Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. The tracer shows high binding affinity and selectivity to α-synuclein, providing a powerful tool for understanding its role in neurodegeneration.

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalNeuron·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 28, 2024

Researchers visualize α-synuclein pathology in living patients with a neurodegenerative disorder

Researchers have successfully visualized α-synuclein aggregates in the brains of patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) using a new positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agent. The agent, 18F-SPAL-T-06, shows high specificity and potential for MSA diagnosis.

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalMovement Disorders·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 30, 2022

New study helps in finally breaking the “silence” on the brain network

A recent study used gene-targeting drugs to suppress areas of the brain and then imaged brain activity, revealing how this affects other complex operational networks. The research team found that silencing specific brain regions can cause stimulatory and inhibitory changes in brain activity, which can be identified using fMRI.

The future of neuroimaging is “lit”: PET-based technique aids better live visualization

A novel neuroimaging technique using bacterial enzymes and inhibitors enables better live visualization of brain circuitry. The technique facilitates in vivo imaging without disrupting the blood-brain barrier, allowing for the detection of undetectable tau protein assemblies in neurodegenerative diseases.

Closer to cure: New imaging method tracks cancer treatment efficacy in preclinical studies

Researchers develop a non-invasive imaging method to track IDO1 activity, providing a promising alternative to invasive biopsies. The study found that IDO1 status in the mesenteric lymph node is a surrogate marker for cancer-immune set point and predicts immunotherapeutic efficacy.

SourceThe National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology·JournalJournal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer·DateJul 2, 2021

On the dot: Novel quantum sensor provides new approach to early diagnosis via imaging

Scientists developed a novel quantum sensor that can detect oxidative stress in organs during MRI scans, which could lead to early diagnosis of diseases like cancer and kidney dysfunction. The sensor uses a ring-shaped sugar-like compound and nitroxide derivatives to identify reduced cell/tissue capacity.