Stream 1: Quantum Probe Design & Fabrication

Overview

Stream 1 is the hardware engine of the QuantOmics pipeline. Trainees in this stream design and fabricate next-generation quantum biosensor probes that achieve detection sensitivity at the attomolar level — capturing the decisive molecular events that trigger biological cascades long before conventional sensors can detect them.

The core insight: biological systems exhibit immense signal amplification, where just a few molecules can trigger a cascade of events. Stream 1 builds the measurement tools that can capture these initial molecular events. This enables the entire downstream pipeline — genomic analysis and AI-guided therapeutic design — to operate on signals of unprecedented clarity.

Research Focus Areas

Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) Center Diamond Probes

NV centers in diamond are atomic-scale quantum sensors with extraordinary sensitivity to magnetic fields, temperature, and single molecules. Trainees work on:

• Fabrication and functionalization of NV-center diamond nanoparticles for biological labeling
• Optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) signal readout
• Integration with microfluidic delivery systems for single-cell sensing

Quantum Dot Synthesis & Photonic Sensing

Semiconductor quantum dots offer tunable optical properties for highly sensitive biosensing. Research projects include:

• Synthesis of biocompatible quantum dots (CdSe, InP, carbon-based) for specific molecular targeting
• Photonic crystal resonator integration for signal amplification
• Multiplexed detection platforms for simultaneous multi-analyte sensing

CMOS/MEMS Integrated Sensor Systems

Miniaturized, integrated sensor platforms enable practical, deployable biosensors. Trainees engage in:

• Design of CMOS read-out circuitry for quantum sensor arrays
• MEMS-based microfluidic integration for sample handling
• Implantable and injectable wireless biosensor networks for real-time monitoring
• Energy-efficient signal conditioning electronics

Spin-Based Magnetometry

Ultra-sensitive detection of magnetic signatures from biological processes:

• Spin-based detection of neurotransmitters and cellular signaling molecules
• Quantum-enhanced noise-limited detection strategies
• Integration with organ-on-a-chip platforms for in vitro validation

Validation Platform

A cornerstone of Stream 1 methodology is the use of patient-derived organoid and organ-on-a-chip platforms. These physiologically relevant 3D microenvironments mimic human tissue far more accurately than traditional 2D cell cultures. Trainees validate their quantum sensors against these biological systems — in partnership with Stream 2 biologists — to confirm performance in contexts that predict human clinical response.

Partner organizations C2MI and Epiloid Biotech provide access to quantum fabrication infrastructure and organoid setups that are otherwise inaccessible to most Canadian universities.

Example Trainee Projects

• NV-center nanosensor for attomolar cytokine detection — fabricating and characterizing a diamond NV probe functionalized for IL-6 detection in organoid supernatant
• Quantum dot multiplexed assay for cancer biomarkers — designing a photonic chip that simultaneously detects three circulating tumor DNA fragments
• Integrated CMOS biosensor for real-time cardiotoxicity screening — miniaturized sensor array for monitoring cardiomyocyte electrical activity in organ-on-chip models
• Wireless implantable quantum magnetometer — injectable sensor for continuous in vivo monitoring of immune cell activity

Stream 1 Co-Leads

• Dr. Virgilio Valente (TMU) — CMOS/MEMS integrated sensors, wireless biosensor networks
• Dr. Shayan Rayan (USask) — Quantum nanotechnology, nanopore integration
• Dr. Harry Ruda (UofT) — Photonic sensors, semiconductor nanomaterials (Stanley Meek Chair in Advanced Nanotechnology)
• Dr. Sara Mahshid (McGill) — Microfluidics, lab-on-chip biosensing
• Dr. Stefania Impellizzeri (TMU) — Quantum dot synthesis, nanomaterial chemistry (Jet Ice Research Chair)

Courses Supporting Stream 1

• Course 1.1 — Biosensor Engineering for Precision Health
• Course 1.2 — Quantum Nanotechnology for Life Sciences
• Bootcamp 1.4 — Multimodal-Omics Data Integration (connecting sensor output to genomic pipelines)