Abstract We propose a novel mutation mechanism for points and ordinary or palindromic sequences of DNA and RNA. We adopted non-Hermitian approaches based on quantum mechanics. Hermiticity is in the limelight of any physical structure with quantum character, like DNA, or RNA, as it creates quantum stability in that it yields real eigenvalues and orthonormal states. We show that, through the mutation mechanism we constructed based on non-Hermitian physics, the deterioration of the Hermitian character of the original DNA states, nucleotides, does not create a stability problem. We show that Weyl’s perturbation theory helps us determine the stability of mutated DNA or RNA. We prove that mutations made in the laboratory with conventional nucleotides using non-Hermitian physics methods are not different from mutations that occur spontaneously in nature. This result may help to reveal the quantum nature of genetic diseases in the near future and may shape the molecular approaches.
Abstract We propose a novel mutation mechanism for points and ordinary or palindromic sequences of DNA and RNA. We adopted non-Hermitian approaches based on quantum mechanics. Hermiticity is in the limelight of any physical structure with quantum character, like DNA, or RNA, as it creates quantum stability in that it yields real eigenvalues and orthonormal states. We show that, through the mutation mechanism we constructed based on non-Hermitian physics, the deterioration of the Hermitian character of the original DNA states, nucleotides, does not create a stability problem. We show that Weyl’s perturbation theory helps us determine the stability of mutated DNA or RNA. We prove that mutations made in the laboratory with conventional nucleotides using non-Hermitian physics methods are not different from mutations that occur spontaneously in nature. This result may help to reveal the quantum nature of genetic diseases in the near future and may shape the molecular approaches.
This work provides a historical overview of how heredity has been understood and a key problem in quantum biology is shed light on: the role of quantum mechanics in point mutation, a cornerstone of evolution. A foundation in core genetic concepts is provided, including the meaning and location of chromosomes and genes in cells, DNA structure, the replication mechanism, the genetic code, and tautomeric forms, mutation types, natural selection, neo-Darwinism. Finally, how Heisenberg uncertainty and quantum tunneling facilitate mutation is explored.
The adaptive mutation phenomenon has been drawing the attention of biologists for several decades in evolutionist community. In this study, we propose a quantum mechanical model of adaptive mutation based on the implications of the theory of open quantum systems. We survey a new framework that explain how random point mutations can be stabilized and directed to be adapted with the stresses introduced by the environments according to the microscopic rules dictated by constraints of quantum mechanics. We consider a pair of entangled qubits consist of DNA and mRNA pair, each coupled to a distinct reservoir for analyzing the spreed of entanglement using time-dependent perturbation theory. The reservoirs are physical demonstrations of the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm and surrounding environments of mRNA and DNA, respectively. Our predictions confirm the role of the environmental-assisted quantum progression of adaptive mutations. Computing the concurrence as a measure that determines to what extent the bipartite DNA-mRNA can be correlated through entanglement, is given. Preventing the entanglement loss is crucial for controlling unfavorable point mutations under environmental influences. We explore which physical parameters may affect the preservation of entanglement between DNA and mRNA pair systems, despite the destructive role of interaction with the environments.
DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid, carrying encoded genetic information at molecular level, is the most significant discovery in the history of genetics. Previous researches on DNA included topics of bases, base-pairing, hydrogen bonds, structure, base sequence, dynamics, replication and mutation. DNA must duplicate itself, and so DNA structure and DNA replication are the fundamental problems. Watson and Crick described the structure and the mechanism for replication of DNA. Other authors focused their studies on DNA replication. DNA molecules are micro-entities ruled by laws of quantum mechanics, but the mechanisms, found previously of DNA forming and replicating, were not explored by applying quantum mechanics. Here we show that controlled by quantum mechanics, the quantum state of DNA is a bio-quantum-entangled state, the mechanism of DNA forming and replicating is a process of bio-quantum entangling, de-entangling and re-entangling. This bio-quantum mechanical result is different from the conventional biochemical descriptions of DNA structure and replication. DNA genetics is bio-quantum genetics in nature. With this deep understanding, reform and progress should be expected for further development of genetics.
Quantum theory of hydrogen atoms distribution between two complementary nucleotide bases in DNA double helix at moment of replication has been proposed in this work. It bases on two mechanisms of proton tunneling: the Andreev-Meyerovich mechanism with spontaneous phonon radiation and the Kagan-Maximov (Flynn-Stoneham) mechanism at phonon scattering. According to the presented model, the probability of proton location in shallow potential well (point mutation form) is directly proportional to temperature. It was shown that the point mutation probability decreases with increasing replication velocity.
One of the important problems in quantum biology has been explained in this work. It is the main reason for genetic mutation, which is known as the origin of evolution in organisms. An approach to clarify the main reason for mutation is quantum mechanics. A brief history of genetics, new-Darwinism, and Mendelian inheritance from ancient times to the twentieth century has been presented. The meaning and location of chromosomes and genes in cells, DNA structure, the replication mechanism, the genetic code, tautomeric forms, and the application of quantum mechanics have been described. Finally, we present the importance of quantum tunnelling in playing a main role in the mutation.
• Published in Nature's sister journal Communications Physics, proposing an 'open quantum systems approach to proton tunnelling in DNA'. • Analysis of G-C base pairs confirmed that the proton transfer rate by tunnelling is overwhelmingly higher than classical methods even at biological temperatures and in a dissipative environment. • Demonstrated a high tautomeric occupation probability... suggesting that DNA mutation is deeply governed by quantum mechanical processes. [Quantum Biology Society] Research revealing that the fundamental cause of mutations threatening the genetic stability of DNA—the core of life preservation—is based on quantum mechanical phenomena rather than classical biochemical reactions is drawing significant attention from the academic community. A paper published in Communications Physics, a sister journal of Nature, titled "An open quantum systems approach to proton tunnelling in DNA" verified this innovative hypothesis with a sophisticated physical model. A joint research team, including Louie Slocombe and Professor Jim Al-Khalili, thoroughly analyzed the quantum mechanical processes related to proton transfer. ■ Protons Piercing Through Hydrogen Bonds, Inducing 'Point Mutations' If a proton moves out of its orbit within the hydrogen bonds of the Guanine-Cytosine (G-C) base pair connecting the DNA double helix structure, tautomerisation occurs, altering the chemical structure of the base, which can lead to a point mutation, an error in genetic information. However, exactly how this process occurs in a warm and complex biological environment has long been a matter of debate. To solve this challenge, the research team applied an open quantum system that integrated an accurate structural model of the G-C base pair with the quantum dynamics of the hydrogen bond proton and the influence of the decoherent and dissipative cellular environment. ■ Quantum Effects Surviving Even in Biological Environments... "Tens of Thousands of Times Faster Than Over-the-Barrier Hopping" The analysis results completely overturned the conventional wisdom that quantum phenomena are confined only to the microscopic world or cryogenic temperatures. The research team found that, despite biological temperatures and environmental factors, the quantum tunnelling contribution to the proton transfer rate is several orders of magnitude (tens of thousands of times) larger than the classical 'over-the-barrier hopping' method, where particles gain energy to cross the barrier. Due to the strong quantum tunnelling effect, the canonical and tautomeric forms of the G-C base pair inter-convert over timescales far shorter than biological ones and very rapidly reach thermal equilibrium. ■ The Origins of Cancer and Evolution Lie in Quantum Probabilities What is even more surprising is that the tautomeric occupation probability through tunnelling reaches a significant level of 1.73 × 10⁻⁴. This suggests that such proton transfer may well play a far more dominant and important role in DNA mutation than the academic community has hitherto thought. This study, which proves that DNA mutations—the macroscopic consequences driving the onset of genetic diseases or cancer, and further, the evolution of life—are in fact thoroughly governed by microscopic quantum tunnelling phenomena, will serve as a powerful indicator of how Quantum Biology can innovate the paradigms of medicine and genetics in the future.