Berlin Opens Quantum Brain Research Center

Berlin has opened a groundbreaking facility that could transform how we understand and treat brain diseases. According to a press release from Charité, the new OPM-MEG Center—a collaboration between Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)—was inaugurated today with Berlin's Science Senator Dr. Ina Czyborra in attendance.

The center uses quantum sensors called optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) to measure the tiny magnetic fields generated when neurons fire in the brain. Unlike traditional sensors that require extreme cooling, these next-generation devices work at room temperature and sit directly on patients' heads. This makes them ideal for studying people who move during measurements—children with epilepsy or patients with Parkinson's disease, for example.

Researchers will use the facility's 96-sensor system to investigate neurological and psychiatric conditions including schizophrenia, epilepsy, and Parkinson's. The technology captures brain activity in real-time with unprecedented spatial resolution, helping scientists identify disease mechanisms that remain poorly understood.

Located on the Charité Mitte campus for maximum proximity to patients, the center combines PTB's expertise in quantum sensors and magnetic shielding with Charité's clinical research capabilities. The facility features a specially designed shielded cabin that blocks external magnetic fields—from Earth's magnetism to passing trains—allowing precise measurement of the brain's weak signals.

Beyond research, the center will advance brain-computer interfaces to improve mobility for people with disabilities and help surgeons more accurately locate epileptic tissue in children's brains before removal. The facility also supports Berlin's quantum technology ecosystem, offering startup companies access to quality assurance and technology validation services.

This partnership exemplifies Berlin's strength as a technology and research hub, bringing quantum physics into practical medical applications.