Quantum Coherence and Dynamics in Biological Processes: Molecular Isomerization in Vision
Abstract
The role of nontrivial quantum effects in biological processes is explored via studies of a generic molecular mechanism. Specifically, a wide variety of processes in nature occur in response to irradiation with light, such as vision in mammals and the metabolic conversion of light to energy in microorganisms. Significantly, the first step in many of these processes is the ultrafast structural transformation of light-absorbing molecules like retinal in vision, retinoic acid in cell biological differentiation, channel rhodopsin s in optogenetics, and proteorhodopsin as a light driven proton pump. A systematic series of studies will be performed to explore and expose the role of quantum mechanics in biological processes, with a focus on the promising first steps in vision: the cis-trans isomerization of retinal in rhodopsin. State-of-the-art theory and computational methods will be implemented to target a number of issues where nontrivial quantum effects may be most pronounced. These include (i) the role of the protein environment in enhancing the ultrafast isomerization rate (i.e., effects associated with non-Markovian open system quantum dynamics), (ii) the degree to which the dynamics is operating close to the “quantum speed limit” and why, (iii) the significance of stationary quantum coherences for process efficiency, and (iv) the exquisite sensitivity of the human eye in response to the arrival of single photons. General principles will be sought in order to generalize the results to the wider class of isomerization-based biological processes noted above. Developments in theoretical/computational chemistry, coupled with the results in recent laser experiments, present opportunities for significant progress on understanding the molecular basis of animal vision and the associated role of quantum mechanics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 28, 2017
- Source ID
- FA95501710310
Entities
People
- Paul Brumer
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Toronto