In a groundbreaking advance that bridges quantum physics and biology, researchers have demonstrated, for the first time, the ability to control spin-correlated radical pair (SCRP) dynamics using magnetic resonance within a living multicellular organism. This novel finding, published in Nature, opens the door to remotely manipulating biochemical processes in vivo with unprecedented precision through the application of radiofrequency and static magnetic fields.
Spin-correlated radical pairs are molecular entities whose reactive behavior is strongly influenced by their electron spin states. These states can exist in quantum-coherent superpositions, which makes the reaction pathways exquisitely sensitive to external magnetic fields. Until now, the influence of such fields on SCRPs had been observed mainly in vitro or in isolated biological molecules, but their deliberate control in living organisms remained unachieved.
The research team employed genetically modified nematodes, Caenorhabditis elegans, expressing the red fluorescent protein (RFP) mScarlet in combination with flavin cofactors. Remarkably, they found that the fluorescence emission could be reliably manipulated by applying a combination of static magnetic fields and radiofrequency fields tuned near the electron spin resonance frequency. This tuning is critical as it aligns with the energy differences between spin states, enabling selective alteration of SCRP spin dynamics.
A key insight from these experiments is the quantum coherence time of the radical pairs involved. The data clearly indicate coherence times exceeding 4 nanoseconds. This duration is sufficiently long to allow magnetic resonance techniques to influence spin evolution and thus modulate biochemical reactions in a controlled manner. The presence of such coherence lifetimes in vivo challenges previous assumptions about the fragility of quantum coherence in complex biological environments.
This work leverages the unique photophysical properties of flavin cofactors paired with RFPs, which together form an ideal platform to study SCRP dynamics in situ. The flavin moiety is well-known for its redox activity and ability to participate in electron transfer reactions, while mScarlet’s fluorescence properties provide a sensitive readout of these processes. By monitoring changes in fluorescence emission, the researchers could infer alterations to the SCRP population and spin states under magnetic resonance conditions.
Control of biochemical reactions via magnetic resonance in vivo offers tantalizing potentials far beyond fundamental science. Remote, non-invasive modulation of molecular pathways could revolutionize therapeutic strategies, enabling, for instance, the targeted control of gene expression or enzymatic activity without the need for pharmaceuticals or invasive interventions. Such approaches may usher in an era of quantum-assisted biomedicine.
Moreover, the findings suggest that the radical pairs within living cells maintain quantum correlations robust enough to be harnessed with relatively weak magnetic fields. This resilience hints at an evolutionary advantage or biological utility for such quantum effects, fostering speculations about their role in natural processes like magnetoreception, DNA repair, or cellular signaling.
From a technical standpoint, the study provides a comprehensive spectroscopic characterization of the SCRP system. By carefully tuning the frequency and amplitude of the radiofrequency fields applied, the team was able to imprint defined changes onto the spin dynamics, observed through shifts in fluorescence patterns. These results constitute compelling evidence for real-time magnetic resonance control of spin chemistry inside living organisms.
The experimental approach also involved rigorous controls to exclude alternative explanations, such as thermal effects or nonspecific photophysics. The specificity of the resonance effect and its dependence on magnetic field parameters strongly support the conclusion that the observed modulation arises from coherent spin dynamics rather than other perturbations.
Importantly, the ability to engineer such a magnetically sensitive radical pair system into a genetically tractable model organism provides a platform for future investigations into quantum-biological interactions. The nematode C. elegans offers unparalleled genetic and physiological tools, allowing the dissection of downstream biological effects that arise from SCRP spin manipulation, such as changes in metabolism, signaling, or behavior.
Beyond the biological implications, this work represents a key technological milestone by demonstrating that quantum coherence phenomena—once considered too delicate or complex to persist in living cells—can indeed be controlled and exploited. This convergence of quantum physics, genetic engineering, and biochemistry lays the foundation for innovative quantum-enabled biotechnologies and study of fundamental quantum effects in life processes.
As the field of quantum biology grows, the insights gained from this research may inspire a new class of biomolecular sensors and actuators operated through tailored magnetic resonance protocols. Such devices could offer unprecedented spatiotemporal control, potentially advancing fields ranging from synthetic biology to precision medicine.
In sum, this pioneering study uncovers a new dimension of biological regulation, where the subtle interplay of electron spins within radical pairs can be harnessed using noninvasive magnetic fields. This quantum resonance approach not only enriches our understanding of spin chemistry in native environments but also illuminates a path toward transformative biomedical technologies leveraging quantum phenomena at the molecular level.
Subject of Research: Magnetic resonance control of spin-correlated radical pair dynamics in vivo
Article Title: Magnetic resonance control of spin-correlated radical pair dynamics in vivo
Article References:
Burd, S.C., Bagheri, N., Condon, A.F. et al. Magnetic resonance control of spin-correlated radical pair dynamics in vivo. Nature (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10282-4
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10282-4
Tags: electron spin resonance manipulationflavin cofactor spin interactionsgenetically modified Caenorhabditis elegansmagnetic resonance control in living organismsquantum biology in vivoquantum effects on radical pair reactionsquantum-coherent spin states in biochemistryradiofrequency magnetic fields biological effectsred fluorescent protein mScarlet fluorescence tuningremote biochemical process modulationspin dynamics in multicellular organismsspin-correlated radical pair dynamics
