Quantum Sensing & Biology Lab

Pioneering interdisciplinary research at the intersection of quantum physics and biological systems.

Molecular Foundry, LBNL Dr. Aeron Tynes Hammack

Quantum Sensing

Single-particle detection with quantum precision

Phage Engineering

CRISPR-enhanced bacteriophage therapeutics

Nanofluidics

Integrated circuits for biological analysis

Biophotonics

Ultra-weak photon emission detection

About Dr. Aeron Tynes Hammack

Quantum physics laboratory interior

Current Position

Staff Scientist, Nanofabrication Facility

Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

U.S. Department of Energy Nanoscale Science Research Center

Biography

Dr. Aeron Tynes Hammack is a distinguished scientist with expertise spanning Quantum Information, Condensed Matter Physics, and Biotechnology. His academic journey began at UC Berkeley with a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, followed by a PhD in Condensed Matter Physics from UC San Diego [1].

His doctoral research on "Studies of transport and thermalization of excitons and the development of techniques for in-situ manipulation of excitons in coupled quantum wells" under Professor Leonid V. Butov laid the foundation for his interdisciplinary approach [3].

Following postdoctoral work at the Molecular Foundry Imaging Facility at LBNL, Dr. Hammack transitioned to industry, contributing to Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) technology at HGST/Western Digital before co-founding EpiBiome, a precision microbiome company focused on bacteriophage therapeutics [1].

Contact Information

athammack@lbl.gov

510-486-7081

Molecular Foundry, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720

Research Focus Areas

Bridging quantum physics with biological systems to develop revolutionary sensing technologies and therapeutic approaches.

Nanofluidic Integrated Circuits

Nanofluidic integrated circuit with microchannels

Developing sophisticated micro- and nano-fabricated devices that isolate, manipulate, and probe single biological molecules with unprecedented sensitivity. These NFICs enable characterization of biological entities at the single-particle level [14].

Key Technologies:

  • Plasmonically enhanced optical resonators
  • Nano-scale electrical contacts for electron tunneling
  • Cavity resonance effects for quantum state coupling

Quantum Mechanical States in Biology

Exploring how quantum effects influence biological processes at molecular and cellular levels. This research investigates quantum coherence, entanglement, and tunneling within biological macromolecules using advanced sensing platforms [14].

Research Areas:

  • Direct coupling to quantum mechanical states
  • Ultra-weak photon emission detection
  • Quantum biological phenomena characterization

Phage Engineering & Therapeutics

Bacteriophage virus infecting bacterial cell

Pioneering CRISPR-Cas3 engineered phage (crPhage) technology for precision antibacterial products. This work builds on Dr. Hammack's entrepreneurial experience as co-founder of EpiBiome, which was acquired by Locus Biosciences [21].

Clinical Impact:

LBP-EC01, a crPhage product for recurrent UTIs caused by antimicrobial-resistant E. coli, has advanced to Phase 2 clinical trials with positive results published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases [26].

Ultra-Weak Photon Emission

Collaborative research with The Guy Foundation investigating biophoton emission from living cells. This work explores the potential quantum biological origins and physiological roles of these extremely faint light signals [18].

Research Goals:

  • Design and build sensitive UPE detection systems
  • Identify cellular targets and communication mechanisms
  • Understand potential quantum biological significance

Selected Publications

Comprehensive research spanning excitonics, Bose-Einstein condensation, plasmonics, and phage biology.

Spontaneous Coherence in a Cold Exciton Gas

Nature

A.A. High, J.R. Leonard, A.T. Hammack, M.M Fogler, L.V. Butov, A.V. Kavokin, K.L. Campman, A.C. Gossard

Nature 483, 7391 (2012) DOI: 10.1038/nature10903

Moiré pattern of interference dislocations in condensate of indirect excitons

Nature Comm.

J.R. Leonard, L. Hu, A.A. High, A.T. Hammack, C. Wu, L.V. Butov, K.L. Campman, A.C. Gossard

Nature Communications 12 (2021) DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19405-6

Methods for tuning plasmonic and photonic optical resonances in high surface area porous electrodes

Sci. Rep.

L.M. Otto, E.A. Gaulding, C.T. Chen, T.R. Kuykendall, A.T. Hammack, F.M. Toma, D.F. Ogletree, S. Aloni, B.J.H. Stadler, A.M. Schwartzberg

Scientific Reports 11, 7656 (2021) DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86813-y

Excitonic switches operating at around 100 K

Nature Photon.

G. Grosso, J. Graves, A.T. Hammack, A.A. High, L.V. Butov, M. Hanson, A.C. Gossard

Nature Photonics 3, 10 (2009) DOI: 10.1038/nphoton.2009.166

Trapping of cold excitons in quantum well structures with laser light

Phys. Rev. Lett.

A.T. Hammack, M. Griswold, L.V. Butov, L.E. Smallwood, A.L. Ivanov, A.C. Gossard

Physical Review Letters 96, 22 (2006) DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.227402

Key Achievements

Career Timeline

2006-2010

PhD Research - UC San Diego

Pioneering work on exciton transport and Bose-Einstein condensation in coupled quantum wells under Professor Leonid V. Butov.

2010-2012

Postdoctoral Fellow - LBNL

Molecular Foundry Imaging Facility, developing advanced nanoscale characterization techniques with Dr. Frank Ogletree.

2013-2018

Co-founder & CEO - EpiBiome

Established precision microbiome company developing high-throughput automated phage discovery platform. Secured $6M Series A funding.

2018-Present

Staff Scientist - Molecular Foundry, LBNL

Leading research in single-particle sensing technologies and quantum biological systems.

15+

Years Research Experience

$6M

Series A Funding Secured

Phase 2

Clinical Trial Achievement

Research Collaborators

Academic & Research Institutions

University of California, Berkeley

B.S. Electrical Engineering & Computer Science

University of California, San Diego

PhD Condensed Matter Physics

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Molecular Foundry Staff Scientist

University of Westminster

Quantum Biology Collaboration

Industry Partners

Janssen Pharmaceuticals

Johnson & Johnson Division

BARDA

Biomedical Advanced Research Authority

CARB-X

Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Locus Biosciences

CRISPR-Cas3 Engineered Phage Therapeutics

Contact the Lab

Interested in collaboration or learning more about our research? Get in touch with Dr. Hammack and the Quantum Sensing and Biology Lab.

Send Message

Direct Contact

Phone

510-486-7081

Address

Molecular Foundry
1 Cyclotron Road
Berkeley, CA 94720

Professional Profiles