Quantum Biology is emerging as a new field at the intersection between fundamental physics and biology, promising novel insights into the nature and origin of biological order. We discuss several elements of QBCL (Quantum Biology at Cellular Level), a research program designed to extend the reach of quantum concepts to higher than molecular levels of biological organization. Key words. decoherence, macroscopic superpositions, basis-dependence, formal superposition, non-classical correlations, Basis-Dependent Selection (BDS), synthetic biology, evolvability mechanism loophole.
Quantum Biology is emerging as a new field at the intersection between fundamental physics and biology, promising novel insights into the nature and origin of biological order. We discuss several elements of QBCL (Quantum Biology at Cellular Level), a research program designed to extend the reach of quantum concepts to higher than molecular levels of biological organization. Key words. decoherence, macroscopic superpositions, basis-dependence, formal superposition, non-classical correlations, Basis-Dependent Selection (BDS), synthetic biology, evolvability mechanism loophole.
Quantum life science is a rapidly developing interdisciplinary domain that combines concepts from quantum physics with biological sciences to investigate the underlying mechanisms of living systems at the molecular and cellular levels. The principles of quantum mechanics, including quantum tunneling, superposition, and entanglement, are believed to contribute to various biological processes and may help explain phenomena that cannot be fully understood through classical biological models. Studying these quantum effects in living organisms remains difficult because biological environments are highly dynamic and are affected by factors such as decoherence and energy dissipation, which can mask quantum behavior. To overcome these limitations, researchers are employing sophisticated tools and methodologies such as biological nano-scale quantum sensors, quantum-enhanced hyperpolarized MRI and NMR techniques, ultrafast two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy, and advanced computational modeling. The integration of these technologies is accelerating progress in quantum biology and related disciplines. As the field continues to evolve, it offers promising opportunities for advancing knowledge in genetics, molecular biology, medicine, biotechnology, and bioengineering, potentially leading to innovative diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Quantum microbiology is s trailblazing field that integrates the principles of quantum mechanics with microbial investigation at a fundamental level, redefining our comprehension of microbial functions, at atomic and molecular levels. This arena primarily delves into the quantum phenomena, for instance, superposition, entanglement, and tunneling, that are fundamental to biological processes like enzyme catalysts within microbial cells, transfer of energy in photosynthesis, and electron transport in cellular respiration. By employing quantum physics notions in the domain of microbiology, this approach provides an innovative understanding of the adaptability, efficiency, and survival mechanisms of microbes. The significance of quantum microbiology extends beyond academic curiosity, unveiling possible merits in biotechnology, synthetic biology, and medical sciences. It opens up novel possibilities for designing microbial systems introduced by quantum physics that are more effective for various industries, healthcare, and environmental contexts. As this field advances, it pledges to challenge the existing biological paradigms and deepen our comprehension of the quantum universe. The fusion of quantum with microbiology not only broadens the scope of scientific inquiry but also holds the promise of innovative breakthroughs that could alter multiple dimensions of biotechnology and medicine. This chapter first presents a detailed explanation of quantum mechanics, then quantum biology, and finally explores the realm of quantum microbiology as a frontier of scientific inquiry with the potential to revolutionize our approach to microbial research and biotechnology.
Abstract The lines separating Biology and Physics have started to blur in recent decades, leading to the emergence of the interdisciplinary field known as quantum Biology. This field looks into the possibility that basic quantum mechanical phenomena such as coherence, entanglement, tunneling, and superposition play crucial roles in biological processes that are beyond the scope of classical Physics. Biology has traditionally worked within the parameters of classical mechanics, presuming that delicate quantum effects cannot endure in the warm, humid, and cacophonous environments of living systems. But new findings in fields like photosynthesis, olfaction, avian magnetoreception, and enzyme catalysis indicate otherwise, suggesting that living things intentionally and possibly advantageously use quantum principles. From the earliest speculative theories to the most recent experimental confirmations, this book chapter methodically examines the evolution of quantum Biology. We investigate how the exceptionally high energy transfer efficiency in photosynthetic complexes particularly in the light-harvesting proteins of green sulfur bacteria and plants is supported by quantum coherence. The remarkable speed of proton transfers and enzymatic reactions during DNA replication is also investigated in relation to quantum tunneling. The chapter explores magnetoreception in migratory birds and suggests models in which sensitivity to Earth's geomagnetic field is made possible by radical pair mechanisms influenced by quantum entanglement. We also discuss the intriguing but controversial idea that quantum vibrations improve the human olfactory system's capacity for discrimination. In addition to examining particular occurrences, this research challenges more general theoretical models that seek to balance quantum mechanics with the decoherence commonly observed in biological settings. Recent developments in quantum information theory, biomimetic quantum technologies, and ultrafast spectroscopy are highlighted as essential instruments advancing empirical research. We also critically evaluate the field's methodological difficulties, the skepticism of overly optimistic interpretations, and the significant philosophical ramifications of acknowledging life as a quantum phenomenon. In conclusion, quantum Biology suggests that quantum effects are not uncommon aberrations but rather are an essential part of life, offering not only a fresh perspective for reinterpreting well-known biological processes but also the potential for a fundamental paradigm shift. Quantum biology has the potential to completely transform biotechnology, medicine, and our comprehension of consciousness and the origin of life as experimental methods advance. This chapter highlights the significance of interdisciplinary cooperation in order to completely comprehend the latest discoveries and possible future paths of quantum Biology, highlighting its revolutionary influence on our comprehension of life at the most basic levels. Key words: Quantum Biology, tunneling, avian magnetoreception, enzyme catalysis
Our recently proposed quantum approach to biomolecular recognition processes is hereby additionally supported by biomolecular Resonant Recognition Model and by quantum-chemical theory of biomolecular non-radiative resonant transitions. Previously developed general quantumdecoherence framework for biopolymer conformational changes in very selective ligandproteins/ target-receptors key/lock biomolecular recognition processes (with electron-conformational coupling, giving rise to dynamical modification of many-electron energy-state hypersurface of the cellular quantum-ensemble ligand-proteins/target-receptors biomolecular macroscopic quantum system, with revealed possibility to consider cellular biomolecular recognition as a Hopfield-like quantum-holographic associative neural network) is further extended from nonlocal macroscopicquantum level of biological cell to nonlocal macroscopic-quantum level of biological organism, based on long-range coherent microwave excitations (as supported by macroscopic quantum-like microwave resonance therapy of the acupuncture system) - which might be of fundamental importance in understanding of underlying macroscopic quantum (quantum-holographic Hopfieldlike) control mechanisms of embryogenesis/ontogenesis and morphogenesis, and their backward influence on the expression of genes.
Abstract Quantum biology has emerged as a frontier discipline, revealing that phenomena such as coherence, entanglement, and tunneling are not merely theoretical curiosities but functional components of living systems. This volume, Quantum Biology under ICQER, presents a unified framework for understanding these phenomena through the lens of the ICQER (Informational Constraints, Quantum Events, and Emergent Realities) paradigm. We propose that biological systems are fundamentally networks of informational constraints that channel, filter, and stabilize quantum events, enabling their propagation from molecular scales to emergent organismal behaviors. The work systematically examines how these constraint networks govern key biological processes, including photosynthetic energy transfer, enzymatic catalysis, magnetoreception, and neural cognition. Furthermore, we explore the evolutionary implications of quantum-informed constraints, demonstrating that natural selection acts not only on classical phenotypes but on the very architectures that harness quantum effects. By integrating molecular quantum dynamics with complex systems theory, this volume establishes ICQER as a predictive and unifying model for quantum biology. It redefines life as a quantum-constrained informational system and provides a roadmap for future research, with far-reaching implications for synthetic biology, bio-inspired technologies, and the fundamental understanding of life's informational architecture.
A study published in the international journal Briefings in Bioinformatics proposes the first clear definition and comprehensive four-tier algorithmic classification system for Quantum Bioinformatics, an emerging interdisciplinary field merging quantum mechanics and bioinformatics. It precisely categorizes the field into four sub-domains: Q-B, QCt-B, QCg-B, and QCr-B, based on three core elements: the nature of computational operations, the type of platform (classical/quantum computer), and the type of data (classical/quantum biological data). It provides a theoretical milestone to shift the paradigm of life science research by overcoming the limitations of classical computing in complex problems like massive genomics, drug design, and protein folding using quantum technology, while promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. [Quantum Biology Society] Bioinformatics has led to rapid advancements in modern life sciences and medicine by utilizing computer algorithms and mathematical models to analyze vast amounts of biological data. Recently, Quantum Bioinformatics has emerged as a new interdisciplinary field that introduces the principles of quantum mechanics into the analysis of biological systems. It is gaining attention as a promising tool to overcome complex challenges in molecular biology, drug design, and protein folding, which have been difficult to solve with traditional classical computers. However, because the goals and concepts of quantum biology and quantum bioinformatics are similar, confusion has arisen among scientists, and there have been difficulties in identifying purely quantum effects and establishing academic boundaries. To address these limitations, a study titled "New classifications for quantum bioinformatics," recently published in the international journal Briefings in Bioinformatics, proposed a comprehensive taxonomy to clarify research directions and promote interdisciplinary collaboration. A joint research team led by Professor Majid Mokhtari from the Kish International Campus of the University of Tehran in Iran established this crucial theoretical framework. ■ 3 Classification Criteria for Quantum Bioinformatics To clearly classify quantum bioinformatics, this study established three core elements as criteria: The Nature of Computational Operations: Distinguishes whether the tool is for simple data mining or for designing and modeling computational tools using quantum concepts. Type of Platform: Specifies whether the physical hardware performing the computation is a classical computer or a quantum computer. Type of Data: Differentiates whether the subject of analysis is classical biological data, such as genomics or proteomics, or quantum biological data extracted using quantum physics tools. ■ A New 4-Tier Taxonomy (Q-B, QCt-B, QCg-B, QCr-B) Based on the above criteria, the research team precisely classified quantum bioinformatics into the following four sub-domains: Q-Bioinformatics (Q-B): A field dedicated to developing and modeling computational tools that exclusively utilize quantum biological data derived from biological sources. This can be performed on both classical and quantum computer platforms. QCt-Bioinformatics (QCt-B): An area focused on designing and developing algorithms and tools that apply the principles of quantum mechanics (such as superposition and entanglement) to analyze conventional classical biological data. QCg-Bioinformatics (QCg-B): A field that applies tools and algorithms to analyze and mine classical biological data, utilizing either classical or quantum computers. QCr-Bioinformatics (QCr-B): A specialized approach that uses classical bioinformatics tools or QCt-B tools for its analytical methodology, but runs exclusively on quantum computer hardware to leverage its overwhelming computational speed and storage capacity. This clear classification system demonstrates that even researchers without direct access to physical quantum computer hardware can significantly contribute to quantum-based algorithm research (such as QCt-B) by utilizing classical computers. This study is evaluated as having eliminated academic confusion that may arise in the convergence of quantum computing and life sciences, laying a solid theoretical foundation that will revolutionize the paradigm of genomic analysis and molecular target discovery in the future. #QuantumBioinformatics #Bioinformatics #QuantumComputing #QuantumCognition #QuantumCryptography #Taxonomy #InterdisciplinaryResearch #QuantumBiology #Biophysics #KoreanQuantumBiologySociety https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10939336/