The workshop “Quantum-enhanced Spectroscopies for Biosystems” is part of the QuBi – Quantum-based Bacteria Identification project, an applied research initiative aimed at developing an innovative system for the rapid and sensitive identification of bacteria using quantum technologies. The project addresses a critical challenge in clinical diagnostics: the timely detection of pathogens, particularly in severe conditions such as sepsis, where each hour of therapeutic delay can be fatal.
The event aims to foster a multidisciplinary dialogue among physicists, biophysicists, and microbiologists on how to harness the quantum properties of light — such as entangled photons, squeezed light, and other non-classical techniques — to enhance the performance of optical spectroscopies and overcome the limitations of conventional diagnostic methods.
The workshop, structured into two thematic sessions, will feature cutting-edge research on:
- coherent Raman spectroscopy and advanced microscopy,
- terahertz and time-resolved spectroscopy,
- quantum phase imaging,
- applications in microbiology and novel materials such as graphene.
The workshop is organized by ILAMP (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore) in collaboration with Copan Group, a leading company in diagnostic microbiology, as part of the national program NQSTI (National Quantum Science and Technology Institute), funded by the PNRR – Next Generation EU initiative.
Program
10:15 Welcoming and Opening Remarks
10:30 Talk Session #1 – Topic "Quantum Spectroscopies"
Coherent Raman Spectroscopy and Microscopy: from experimental realizations to applications in biology and beyond
Dario POLLI, Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano
Quantum-enhanced ultrafast spectroscopy
Frank SCHLAWIN, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, University of Hamburg
Quantum-enhanced THz time domain spectroscopy
Matteo CLERICI, Como Lake Institute of Photonics, Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria
Enhanced Entangled Second Harmonic Generation Beyond the Photon Pairs Regime
Lucia CASPANI, Como Lake Institute of Photonics, Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria
Entangled photon time- and frequency- resolved optical spectroscopy
Lorenzo UBOLDI, Department of Physics, Politecnico di Milano
13:00-14:30 Light lunch break (including lab visit)
14:30 Talk Session #2 – Topic "Micro-Biology"
Microscopy and medical imaging: bridging the diagnostic gap
Marco DE SPIRITO, UOC Physics for Life Science, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome
Improving resolution in quantum enhanced phase imaging of cells
Ivano RUO BERCHERA, INRIM
Graphene-based materials applications in microbiology
Valentina PALMIERI, CNR - Institute of Complex Systems
Innovation in Microbiology
Copan
Project 259217/2024 QuBi - Quantum-based Bacteria Identification funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU on PNRR MUR funds – M4 C2 I1.3, CUP B53C22004180005
Cascading call no. 1 for Companies – PE00000023 – NQSTI Spoke 8 within the "National Quantum Science & Technology Institute" (NQSTI) Research Program
