Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology

Mikael Backlund

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Single-molecule biophysics, quantum sensing, microscopy

Research Interests

Research Description

The Backlund lab develops and applies new techniques for molecular sensing and imaging by leveraging tools from quantum information science and engineering. Approaches include nanoscale magnetic resonance using quantum defects in diamond and novel methods in single-molecule optical microscopy with designs informed by quantum metrological bounds. We apply our tools to target various systems of importance in biophysics, materials science, and chemistry. Amyloid proteins are of special biophysical interest.

Education

Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard University, 2016-2020
Ph.D., Stanford University, 2016
B.S., University of California, Berkeley, 2010

Awards

Robert and Marvel Kirby Stanford Graduate Fellow, 2010-2013
Erich O. and Elly M. Saegebarth Prize, 2010