Prospects of Single-Cell NMR Spectroscopy with Quantum Sensors

Single-cell analysis can unravel functional heterogeneity within cell populations otherwise obscured by ensemble measurements. However, non-invasive techniques that probe chemical entities and their dynamics are still lacking. This challenge could be overcome by novel sensors based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond, which enable nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy on unprecedented sample volumes. In this perspective, we briefly introduce NV-based quantum sensing and review the progress made in microscale NV-NMR spectroscopy. Lastly, we discuss approaches to enhance the sensitivity of NV ensemble magnetometers to detect biologically relevant concentrations and provide a roadmap towards their application in single-cell analysis.