ProjectSPECTR
Studying electrons to fight disease
Shaping the future of EPR with cryoprobes and superconducting microresonators (SPECTR)
"By dramatically boosting EPR sensitivity, SPECTR turns previously invisible paramagnetic molecular systems into measurable science." - Prof. Mantas Simenas
Project impact
Scientists can now probe proteins, tiny biological samples and advanced materials that were previously impossible to analyse. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is used across many fields of research to get insights into electrons in a substance. It can be used to scan tiny amounts of proteins and reveal how certain molecules work. Recent advancements in EPR sensitivity have been achieved by using superconducting microresonators – tiny circuits that are used in quantum computing – and the goal of the SPECTR project was to adapt these developments to solve new problems in biochemistry. SPECTR project researcher Dr. Mantas Šimėnas was able to increase detection sensitivity by up to a thousand times, speeding up research and making it more efficient. It means EPR can now analyse biological samples on a smaller scale, helping to support Europe’s research system and build capacity in quantum science, and the technology has attracted interest from institutions in both academia and industry.
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Coordinator
Lithuania
Vilniaus Universitetas
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Participating and partners countries
- Switzerland
- Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich
- Switzerland