Spin biology under optimal quantum control
Abstract
From quantum clocks, computers and sensors to quantum cryptography, quantum mechanical deviceshave become increasingly common-place; yet doubt persists among scientists about whether certainbiological processes may rely on room-temperature quantum feats to boost their efficiencies and sensitivities.Nevertheless, some biological processes appear to depend on quantum coherent spin dynamics,i.e. the dynamics of the intrinsic magnetic moments of unpaired electrons and atomic nuclei.In particular, chemical reactions involving two or three radicals (reactive compounds with unpairedelectrons), can amplify quantum effects to produce features on the macro-scale, such as animals remarkablesensitivities to both static and oscillatory magnetic fields, i.e. magnetoreception, and biologicalmagnetosensitivity.We aim to harness biological spin degrees of freedom so to command and drive physiology for thefirst time, and thus realize quantum control of physiological processes involving radical pair/triadintermediates. In particular, we will use the theory of coherent control of open quantum systems todevelop the necessary mathematical machinery and knowledge to furnish quantum protocols basedon purposeful electromagnetic stimulation of living tissue. This will enable experimenters from parallelresearch programs to study, influence and potentially control spin in biological processes in vivo.One design goal of our research is to overcome the main confound to quantum biology: the problemthat the complexity of life makes it difficult, if not impossible (by traditional approaches), to identifymechanistic details of these radical processes. Likewise, we aim to discern how living cells cope withenvironmental noise on the quantum scale. In vitro studies on isolated model systems provide onlyglimpses of a dead quantum biology, which may inform principles of feasibility, but fall short ofaddressing life on the quantum scale. On the other hand, experiments with complex organisms havefailed to unambiguously link organisms behaviors to spin physics due to their rich complexity. Here,we will reveal unprecedented details about the underlying processes without unduly simplifying them.This will be enabled by purpose-built magnetic excitation sequences that are designed to distinguishcompeting physiological models of biological magnetosensitivity and magnetoreception (includingnew three-radical models), by selectively addressing one process whilst leaving others unaffected.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 05, 2021
- Source ID
- N629092112018
Entities
People
- Daniel Kattnig
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Exeter