Quantum-computing approach uses single molecules as qubits for first time

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Hello Nature readers, Today we discover a breakthrough in using molecules for quantum computing, explore what's next for the gene-editing tool CRISPR after landmark approvals and celebrate the Nature Methods method of the year.

Entanglement (illustration) is required for quantum computers to run algorithms. (Peter Jurik/Alamy)

'Tweezers' hold quantum molecule Physicists have used lasers as 'optical tweezers' to position molecules so precisely that the molecules can be used as qubits to process quantum information. Pairs of calcium monofluoride molecules were gingerly manoeuvred so that they became entangled and behaved as a single collective quantum system. The molecules were cooled to close to absolute zero, making them almost completely still. When their rotation was completely stopped, they represented the '0' state of the qubit. Meanwhile, molecules allowed to rotate with just one quantum of rotational momentum represented the '1' state. Molecules have some advantages over other qubit candidates, such as atoms. For example, molecules could be pushed into service as 'qutrits', which have three possible states: −1, 0 and +1. Nature | 4 min read Reference: Science paper 1 & paper 2

CRISPR comes of age The first therapeutic applications of the CRISPR-Cas9 DNA-editing technique have only just received regulatory approval, but already scientists are looking to the next generation of CRISPR technologies. Single base editing, more flexible 'prime' editing, and editing of the genome to turn genes off or on are all showing promise in tackling a range of diseases, from cystic fibrosis to hepatitis B. Nature | 6 min read

NIH grad students and postdocs form union Hundreds of early-career researchers at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) have voted overwhelmingly to form a union to help push for better pay and working conditions. With the union's membership comprising more than 5,000 research fellows, including graduate students and postdocs, the union will represent about 10% of the NIH's full-time workforce. "Any wins that we make will improve the working conditions for researchers across the country," says Rosa Lafer-Sousa, a postdoctoral fellow and neuroscientist at the NIH. Nature | 4 min read

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Question of the week Earlier this week, climate scientist Daniel Swain described how he put his research on hold to answer journalists' questions when wildfires engulfed California in 2020. He says that many others with relevant expertise would be prepared to do the same, but that a lack of support from institutions is holding them back. What do you think the role of climate researchers is in science communication and engagement?  a  I'm a climate researcher and I think public engagement should be part of our responsibilities  b  I'm a climate researcher and I think the task should be left to professional science communicators  c  I'm NOT a climate researcher and I think public engagement should be part of their responsibilities  d  I'm NOT a climate researcher and I think the task should be left to professional science communicators  e  Something else — tell us at briefing@nature.com

Features & opinion

Method of the Year: in vitro embryo models In vitro embryo models, supported by methods developed in adjacent fields, have started to shed light on the intricate mechanisms that control the development of a zygote into a fetus. Now the approach has been picked by Nature Methods as its Method of the Year. A special focus issue explores advances in culturing embryo models, testing their validity against the real thing and even generating digital replicas. At the same time, "we must have an open and transparent dialog about the limitations of these methods as well as the ethical risks," says a Nature Methods editorial. Nature Methods | 9 min read & read the whole collection of articles

Futures: science fiction from Nature In the latest short stories for Nature's Futures series: A space explorer must stay in the hospitable boundary between deadly hot day and freezing night in Nomad. (8 min read) A canny detective grapples with temporal quirks and a grisly murder in Time Crystal. (8 min read)

Podcast: World's smallest light trap Researchers have created a gap between two pieces of silicon that is just two nanometres across, about the width of a DNA molecule. This cavity is essentially a light-capturing device. And the smaller it is, the stronger the light–matter interaction — something scientists want to use for applications such as quantum computing. Photonics researcher Søren Stobbe tells the Nature Podcast how he and his team exploited the 'stickiness' of molecules that usually stands in the way of making ever-smaller cavities. Nature Podcast | 31 min listen Subscribe to the Nature Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify, or use the RSS feed.

Quote of the day "If you can manage 30 angry players, it's a lot easier to manage a group of students in front of a classroom or deal with your colleagues in the lab." Mathematician Federico Fioravanti, who worked as a rugby referee before taking up a postdoctoral position in social choice theory, is just one of the scientists who told Nature about their first jobs and what they learnt from them. (Nature | 6 min read)

Today we're seeking Leif Penguinson among the granite boulders of Girraween National Park in Australia. Can you find the penguin? The answer will be in Monday's e-mail, all thanks to Briefing photo editor and penguin wrangler Tom Houghton. This newsletter is always evolving — tell us what you think! Please send your feedback to briefing@nature.com. Flora Graham, senior editor, Nature Briefing With contributions by Katrina Krämer and Sara Phillips

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