A future with quantum biology - with Alexandra Olaya-Castro
The Royal Institution・2 minutes read
Photosynthesis is a fundamental process that involves the absorption of light, occurring not only in plants but also in algae and photosynthetic bacteria. Research focuses on understanding the quantum nature of photosynthetic processes on a molecular level through experimental tools and theoretical collaborations to accelerate a paradigm shift in understanding molecular processes supporting life on Earth.
Insights
- Photosynthesis, crucial for life, involves capturing light through a process that is not limited to plants but also occurs in algae and photosynthetic bacteria, with recent technological advances enhancing our molecular understanding of this fundamental mechanism.
- Research delves into the quantum nature of photosynthesis at a molecular level, exploring how chromophores absorb photons through quantum mechanics, leading to shared excitation resembling a tennis doubles game, with the ultimate goal of revolutionizing our comprehension of molecular processes supporting life on Earth through open quantum systems theory.
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Recent questions
What is photosynthesis?
Photosynthesis is a fundamental process where organisms absorb light to convert it into chemical energy.
How efficient is photosynthesis?
Photosynthesis is highly efficient, with around 90% of absorbed photons generating charge separation.
What is the role of quantum mechanics in photosynthesis?
Quantum mechanics explains the electronic motions of pigments absorbing photons in photosynthesis.
How do vibrational motions impact energy transfer in photosynthesis?
Vibrational motions within molecules affect energy transfer times and efficiency in photosynthesis.
How does collective behavior impact energy transfer in biological systems?
Collective behavior of electronic and vibrational motions influences energy absorption and transfer in biological systems.
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Summary
00:00
Unveiling the Quantum Secrets of Photosynthesis
- Life is supported by photosynthesis, a fundamental process involving the absorption of light.
- Photosynthesis is not exclusive to plants but also occurs in algae and photosynthetic bacteria.
- Understanding photosynthesis at a molecular level has improved in recent decades due to advancements in technology.
- Photosynthesis began with photosynthetic bacteria around 4.6 billion years ago.
- The process involves light harvesting antenna capturing photons and converting them into chemical energy.
- Photosynthesis is highly efficient, with around 90% of absorbed photons generating charge separation.
- Research focuses on understanding the quantum nature of photosynthetic processes at a molecular level.
- Experimental tools like optical multidimensional spectroscopy aid in studying individual molecules.
- Theoretical physicists collaborate with other scientific disciplines to comprehend quantum behavior in biological systems.
- The aim is to accelerate a paradigm shift in understanding molecular processes supporting life on Earth through the theory of open quantum systems.
17:04
Quantum mechanics of light absorption in pigments
- Photons are absorbed by chromophores or pigments, affecting their electronic motions, explained by quantum mechanics.
- An analogy is made between the interference of waves in a calm lake and the electronic motions of chromophores absorbing photons.
- At the molecular level, a superposition of possible motions from different waves is used to describe the absorption process.
- Different pigments absorb light at various frequencies, with interactions leading to shared excitation resembling a tennis doubles game.
- Nature has evolved light-harvesting antennas covering the visible spectrum, using quantum mechanics to absorb sunlight.
- Accurate prediction of absorption properties of molecules is crucial, with researchers aiming for high precision in their theoretical and computational frameworks.
- The absorption properties of a light-harvesting complex can be predicted with increasing accuracy by enhancing computational levels.
- Light absorption by chromophores in a molecule is influenced by their arrangement, with closer interactions leading to absorption at different frequencies.
- Experimental scientists isolate molecules in solutions to study their physics, but questions arise about changes in quantum properties outside the biological system.
- Embedding light-harvesting complexes in artificial membranes reveals significant changes in energy transfer compared to studying them in solutions, highlighting the impact of the membrane on quantum properties.
32:33
Enhancing Quantum Effects in Energy Transfer
- Hallman, Charlie, and other group members have enabled theoretical comparisons and more precise approximations in their research.
- Predictions show a shift in energy transfer within molecules, with significant changes observed in quantum efficiency.
- Experimental measurements reveal differences in energy transfer times between detergent and membrane environments.
- Quantum properties in biological environments are surprisingly robust, enhancing energy transfer processes.
- Ongoing research aims to explore enhanced quantum effects in membrane environments.
- Disagreements persist regarding additional quantum processes beyond absorption and emission in molecules.
- Vibrational motions play a crucial role in energy transfer within molecules, with varying levels affecting transfer times.
- Optimal energy transfer regimes are found when vibrational noise is balanced to maintain cooperative electronic behavior.
- The interplay between electronic and vibrational motions in molecules offers new insights into energy transfer mechanisms.
- Research focuses on understanding the quantum dynamics of vibrational motions, leading to discoveries in the vibronic field and enriching the understanding of energy transfer processes.
48:43
Collective vibronic mechanisms in energy transfer.
- Photosynthesis involves a complex mechanism where chromophores interact with oscillators, leading to a collective vibronic mechanism that influences energy transfer and quantum effects.
- Understanding the vibrational degrees of freedom in photosynthesis has been a focus for researchers, revealing the importance of vibronic mechanisms in energy transfer and current control.
- Experiments have shown that a complex vibronic mechanism increases current extraction, while simplifying it reduces current, highlighting the exploitation of this mechanism in systems.
- The collective behavior of electronic and vibrational motions, described by quantum mechanics, plays a crucial role in energy absorption and transfer in biological systems.
- Research extends beyond photosynthesis, exploring collective behavior in other systems like the European Robin's migration, where spins of electrons and nuclei interact to detect the Earth's magnetic field direction.
- The discovery of collective behavior in spin interactions challenges previous assumptions and offers insights into navigation mechanisms in birds.
- The knowledge gained from studying these systems can potentially lead to advancements in solar energy technologies, genetic manipulation for therapeutic purposes, and innovative applications in various industries.
