Optically detected and radio wave-controlled spin chemistry in flavoproteins
Optically addressable spin systems have been widely studied for quantum-sensing applications. In this work, we demonstrate that photogenerated spin-correlated radical pairs in certain flavoproteins, cryptochrome and improved light-oxygen-voltage protein, can be manipulated by radio waves. This capability enables magnetic field sensing and spatial modulation of photoluminescence using radiofrequency pulses and magnetic field gradients, establishing proteins as a platform for optically addressable spin systems and radiofrequency-based control of biological processes.
Authors
- Christopher Einholz
- Erik Schleicher (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2953-050X)
- Nick R. von Grafenstein (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3851-0113)
- Dominik B. Bucher (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2160-0235)
- Linyan Nie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9067-3617)
- Roberto Rizzato (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3924-7989)
- Kun Meng
Institutions
- University of Freiburg (DE)
- Philipps University of Marburg (DE)
- Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (DE)
- Technical University of Munich (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Biotechnology
- Published
- 2026-05-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-026-03158-5
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Quantum Mechanics and Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 13.95
Funders
- European Commission
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- Technische Universität München
- Hans-Fischer-Gesellschaft