All articles tagged with #quantum biology
Gregory Scholes of Princeton University argues that biological systems do not exploit genuine quantum effects but instead use complex classical networks to mathematically mimic quantum behavior. This challenges the 2007 hypothesis that photosynthesis relies on quantum coherence, suggesting instead that evolution optimized classical structures to achieve similar efficiencies.
A preprint study by Bo Song and colleagues at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology suggests that mitochondria may utilize quantum effects to enhance energy production. Using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, the team detected a 71-terahertz vibration in living cells and mouse tissues that vanished when samples were dried. They propose this signal arises from a polariton, a hybrid state of light and matter, formed by interactions between photons and carbon-hydrogen bonds in mitochondrial membranes. When cells were exposed to infrared light matching this frequency, ATP production increased by approximately 10 percent. While the findings hint at quantum mechanics influencing cellular metabolism, the results remain unverified by peer review and require independent replication.
Migrating birds may literally see Earth’s magnetic field as a visual overlay produced by radical-pair reactions in retinal cryptochromes (notably CRY4). This quantum mechanism could alter reaction yields depending on field orientation, potentially guiding navigation by mapping magnetic information onto vision. While birds’ orientation changes with rotated magnetic fields and robin cryptochromes show magnetic sensitivity in vitro, direct evidence in a living bird’s receptor and brain remains unproven. A decisive test would require disabling a specific cryptochrome or electron-transfer step in a migratory bird and showing corresponding changes in magnetic orientation, while also detecting a repeatable Earth-strength signal flowing from retina to brain.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo developed pump-field-probe fluorescence microscopy that combines synchronized pulsed light with nanosecond magnetic pulses to detect spin-dependent, non-emissive intermediates invisible to standard fluorescence. Validated on flavin-based model systems, the method measures lifetimes and magnetic responses at biologically relevant, low concentrations and can operate with minimal sample damage, enabling time-resolved studies of short-lived dark states and offering potential for live-cell applications. This approach bridges fluorescence microscopy with spin chemistry, contributing to quantum biology and noninvasive diagnostics, with future plans to tackle more complex biological environments and separate overlapping reaction pathways.
Researchers are turning fluorescent proteins into qubits to enable quantum sensing inside living cells, offering the potential for ultra-sensitive imaging of magnetic fields, neural activity and cellular stress. While proof-of-principle work exists and proteins are easier to place precisely in cells than NV-diamond sensors, challenges remain in protein stability and boosting sensitivity for robust biomedical applications.
Ramakrishna Podila, a Clemson University physicist, has been named a Fellow of the Institute of Physics for his interdisciplinary work in condensed matter, nanoscience, and emerging fields like quantum biology, with significant contributions to energy storage and nanophysics.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have combined quantum biology and explainable artificial intelligence to enhance CRISPR Cas9 genome editing in microbes. By utilizing quantum biology to understand the electronic structure of nucleotides and training an explainable AI model, the researchers were able to improve the accuracy of guide RNA selection for CRISPR Cas9, leading to more precise genetic modifications in microbes. This breakthrough has significant implications for renewable fuel and chemical production, as well as drug development and functional genomics.
New research reveals that nuclear spin has a significant impact on biological processes, challenging long-held assumptions. The study focused on the influence of nuclear spin on oxygen dynamics in chiral environments, uncovering its effects on transport. This breakthrough has implications for biotechnology, quantum biology, isotope separation, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology. Manipulating nuclear spin could lead to groundbreaking applications in these fields, revolutionizing isotopic fractionation processes and unlocking new possibilities in NMR.
A new study led by researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveals that nuclear spin has a significant impact on biological processes, challenging previous assumptions. The team found that nuclear spin affects oxygen dynamics in chiral environments, potentially revolutionizing fields such as biotechnology and quantum biology. The findings have implications for controlled isotope separation and could advance nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology. Understanding and manipulating spin could have profound effects on how living things function and may lead to improvements in medical imaging and disease treatment.
A recent paper published in IEEE Transactions on Molecular, Biological and Multi-Scale Communications reviews the evidence of electron tunneling associated with ferritin, a protein involved in iron storage. The study explores the potential role of electron tunneling in various biological systems, including the retina, cochlea, macrophages, glial cells, mitochondria, and magnetosensory systems. The authors hope to raise awareness of this phenomenon and encourage further research into the mechanism of electron tunneling in biological systems that incorporate ferritin.
Quantum biology explores how quantum effects influence biological processes, potentially leading to breakthroughs in medicine and biotechnology. Despite the assumption that quantum effects rapidly disappear in biological systems, research suggests these effects play a key role in physiological processes. This opens up the possibility of manipulating these processes to create non-invasive, remote-controlled therapeutic devices. However, achieving this requires a new, interdisciplinary approach to scientific research.
Quantum biology is an emerging field that explores the influence of quantum effects on biological systems. While quantum effects are typically only observed at small scales and low temperatures, recent research suggests that they may play a role in regulating enzyme activity, sensing magnetic fields, and other physiological processes. Scientists are working to develop tools to measure and control quantum properties in biological systems, with the goal of developing noninvasive, remotely controlled therapeutic devices. The interdisciplinary nature of quantum biology requires collaboration between researchers from fields such as physics, biology, and medicine.
Quantum biology is an emerging field that explores the influence of quantum effects on biological systems. While quantum effects are typically only observed at very small scales, recent research suggests that they may play a role in regulating enzyme activity, sensing magnetic fields, and other physiological processes. Scientists are working to better understand these effects and develop tools to measure and manipulate them, with the potential to revolutionize medicine and biomanufacturing. The interdisciplinary nature of quantum biology requires collaboration between researchers from diverse fields, and could lead to a whole new way of understanding life processes.
Quantum biology is an emerging field that studies the influence of quantum mechanics on biological systems. While quantum effects are typically only observed at small scales and low temperatures, recent research suggests that they may play a role in regulating enzyme activity, sensing magnetic fields, and other physiological processes. By studying and manipulating the quantum properties of biological matter, researchers may be able to develop noninvasive, remotely controlled therapeutic devices accessible through mobile phones. This interdisciplinary field requires collaboration between scientists from various disciplines, including mainstream quantum physics, biophysics, medicine, chemistry, and biology.
Quantum biology is an emerging field that studies the influence of quantum effects on biological systems. While it was previously believed that classical physics could fully describe biological processes, recent research has shown that quantum effects do play a role in regulating enzyme activity, sensing magnetic fields, and electron transport in biomolecules. By fine-tuning nature's quantum properties, researchers could develop noninvasive, remotely controlled therapeutic devices accessible with a mobile phone. The interdisciplinary nature of quantum biology requires a transformative model of collaboration to conduct experiments that meet the breadth of the field.