The Quantum DNA Research Group at Boise State University has achieved a significant milestone, securing three grants totaling $1.6 million from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Energy. These grants will fuel research in quantum information systems, photosynthetic energy transfer and molecular design, further solidifying the group’s reputation as a leader in quantum science and technology.
These grants align with the qDNA group’s long-term vision to:
- Advance quantum information systems through innovative material design.
- Develop ultrasensitive biosensors for non-invasive cancer detection.
- Expand renewable energy research through photosynthetic energy transfer.
- Engage the broader community through educational outreach programs.
Advanced funding advancing innovation
The NSF Cyberinfrastructure for Sustained Scientific Innovation grant focuses on the development of “MatFlow,” an AI-driven cyberinfrastructure for designing dye molecules optimized for room-temperature quantum computing. Principal Investigator Lan Li from the Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering is spearheading the $600,000 project alongside collaborator Jamil Hasan of the University of Idaho. The project seeks to accelerate quantum computing technologies by integrating artificial intelligence with high-throughput molecular design.
“The CSSI project focuses on developing innovative and effective computational and data-driven cyberinfrastructure (CI) for both forward and inverse de novo materials design,” Li said. “This CI will advance the field of physical chemistry, particularly at its intersection with data science and machine learning. Our work will also address gaps in publicly available software and algorithms, fostering progress in underdeveloped areas. Additionally, it will enable groundbreaking research in NSF priority areas such as biotechnology, quantum information science, and AI/data-enabled chemical research.”
The DOE FAIR grant investigates coherence dynamics in photosynthetic systems to deepen the understanding of energy transfer mechanisms. Directed by Principal Research Scholar Daniel Turner from the Micron School for Materials Science and Engineering, in partnership with Professor Eric Bittner at the University of Houston, this $800,000-funded research combines advanced femtosecond laser spectroscopy techniques with DNA-templated molecular assemblies to perform fundamental scientific research that is aimed to support future applications in renewable energy.
“By using DNA-templated model systems and our world-leading five-femtosecond laser pulses, the DOE funding will allow our team to explore the fascinating dynamics of coherences as they relate to energy transfer in photosynthetic proteins,” Turner said. “The role of coherence in photosynthesis has been hotly debated for about 20 years, and our research program will provide important new insights relevant to that discussion.”
The NIH CEBS COBRE grant will support the development of a novel fluorescent readout for ultrasensitive nucleic acid detection. Led by Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering Senior Research Scholar Olya Mass as PI in collaboration with Professor Eric Haden from the Boise State Department of Biology, this $125,000-funded research aims to enhance early cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring by enabling the detection of ultralow amounts of nucleic acid biomarkers. The project leverages an innovative fluorogenic condensation reaction to achieve high signal-to-noise detection without amplification, paving the way for cutting-edge biosensors.
“Circulating tumor DNA is an emerging biomarker for early cancer detection and treatment monitoring. Over 1,200 such DNA biomarkers are currently analyzed in FDA clinical trials,” Mass said. “Our research intends to develop a biosensor based on a fluorogenic chemical reaction to meet the upcoming high demand for quick and reliable detection of these biomarkers.”
Driving innovation and collaboration
The qDNA group’s projects foster interdisciplinary collaborations that enhance the scope and impact of their research. For example, the NIH project leveraging Boise State’s FacT Core Facility to validate fluorescence outcomes, while the DOE initiative integrates expertise from synthetic DNA nanotechnology and ultrafast spectroscopy. Such partnerships underscore the group’s commitment to advancing science through teamwork and shared knowledge.
“These grants are a testament to the groundbreaking work of qDNA,” said Bill Knowlton, co-founder of the qDNA Research Group. “With this support, we can build on our ongoing research to achieve significant advancements and alternative research directions in quantum technology and biosensing. It is worth highlighting that two of the three grants were secured by our senior level research scholars, Dr. Olya Mass and Dr. Daniel Turner who are well-known experts in their respective fields and have chosen Boise State and qDNA to pursue their research.”
A legacy of excellence
Known for its groundbreaking use of DNA as a programmable framework for organizing dye molecules to create quantum systems, the qDNA Research Group has a track record of significant achievements. Past successes include publishing high-impact studies on developing molecular quantum materials and visualization methods for energy transfer in molecular systems. The group’s innovative approach has attracted widespread attention and acclaim, both within the scientific community and beyond.
The qDNA Research Group continues to integrate creativity and rigorous science to unravel the mysteries of quantum systems. qDNA’s interdisciplinary approach exemplified by its five diverse research-engineering teams and management team that span 10 academic disciplines across multiple departments and colleges. Its success with these three newly awarded grants mark another milestone in their journey, setting the stage for a brighter and more innovative future.