Simultaneous nanorheometry and nanothermometry using intracellular diamond quantum sensors

Abstract

Viscoelasticity of the cytoplasm plays a critical role in cell morphology and division. In parallel, local temperature is coupled to viscoelasticity and influences cellular bioenergetics. Probing the interdependence of intracellular temperature and viscoelasticity provides an exciting opportunity for the study of metabolism and disease progression. Here, we present a dual-mode quantum sensor, capable of performing simultaneous nanoscale thermometry and rheometry in a dynamic cellular environment. Our technique uses nitrogen-vacancy centres in nanodiamond, combining sub-diffraction resolution single-particle tracking in a fluidic environment with optically detected magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We demonstrate nanoscale sensing of temperature-dependent viscoelasticity in complex media. We then use our sensor to investigate the interplay between intracellular forces and cytoplasmic rheology in live cells, revealing details of active trafficking and nanoscale viscoelasticity.