Alexey Shkarin

Alexey Shkarin is a Research Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL) in Erlangen, Germany, focusing on coupling organic dye molecules to on-chip dielectric structures at cryogenic temperatures for quantum technology applications. His interdisciplinary work bridges quantum optics and biophotonics.

His research spans Quantum Optics, Single-molecule Spectroscopy, Cryogenic Physics, and Biophotonics, employing advanced spectroscopic techniques to investigate molecular behavior at ultra-low temperatures and develop high-throughput platforms for cellular analysis. This includes studying vibrational relaxation mechanisms in dye molecules and correlating physical cell properties with transcriptional profiles.

Shkarin's recent publications (2022, 2025) reveal a trajectory from fundamental quantum optics to biological applications. The 2022 Journal of Chemical Physics paper established high-resolution vibronic spectroscopy methods for single molecules in crystals, while the 2025 bioRxiv preprint introduced the 'im-seq' platform integrating live-cell imaging with mRNA sequencing. This dual focus demonstrates unique expertise across quantum technology and single-cell biology.

He actively collaborates with MPL's Guck Division (biophotonics) on cellular imaging technologies and the Sandoghdar Division (quantum optics) on cryogenic molecular spectroscopy, utilizing the institute's specialized facilities including cleanrooms and cryogenic setups for cutting-edge photonics research.