Proteins as Qubits for Quantum Information Processing
Can proteins or protein domains function as biological qubits for quantum information storage and processing? This groundbreaking concept explores whether electron spins, nuclear spins, or conformational states in proteins could serve as controllable quantum two-level systems, potentially enabling bio-hybrid quantum computers or quantum sensing at the cellular level.
Problem Overview
Can proteins or protein domains function as biological qubits for quantum information storage and processing? This groundbreaking concept explores whether electron spins, nuclear spins, or conformational states in proteins could serve as controllable quantum two-level systems, potentially enabling bio-hybrid quantum computers or quantum sensing at the cellular level.
🎯Practical Applications
Bio-hybrid quantum computers, quantum biological sensors with unprecedented sensitivity, quantum-enhanced medical diagnostics, understanding information processing in neurons, developing protein-based quantum memory, quantum-secured biological communication, biocompatible quantum devices for in vivo sensing
📚Key References
Outeiral, C. et al. (2021). The prospects of quantum computing in computational molecular biology. WIREs Computational Molecular Science, 11(1), e1481.
Gaita-Ariño, A. et al. (2016). Molecular spins for quantum computation. Nature Chemistry, 8(4), 301-308.
Gorini, V. et al. (2013). Quantum biomolecular dynamics and coherent control. Physical Review E, 87(3), 032707.
Huelga, S. F., & Plenio, M. B. (2013). Vibrations, quanta and biology. Contemporary Physics, 54(4), 181-207.
Wasielewski, M. R. et al. (2020). Exploiting chemistry and molecular systems for quantum information science. Nature Reviews Chemistry, 4(9), 490-504.
Takahashi, S. et al. (2011). Decoherence in crystals of quantum molecular magnets. Nature, 476(7358), 76-79.
Goswami, D. (2003). Optical pulse shaping approaches to coherent control. Physics Reports, 374(6), 385-481.
Kurizki, G. et al. (2015). Quantum technologies with hybrid systems. PNAS, 112(13), 3866-3873.
Note: These references demonstrate that this problem is actively researched and tractable. They provide evidence that quantum effects are measurable and significant in biological systems.
Current Research Approaches
🔬Experimental Methods
- Time-resolved spectroscopy measurements
- Cryogenic electron microscopy studies
- Isotope labeling and kinetic analysis
- Single-molecule imaging techniques
💻Computational Approaches
- Quantum molecular dynamics simulations
- Density functional theory calculations
- Machine learning models for prediction
- Quantum computing algorithms
📊Theoretical Framework
- Quantum field theory in biological systems
- Decoherence and environmental coupling models
- Path integral formulations
- Semi-classical approximations
Recent Publications
No publications added yet for this problem. Check back soon!
Key Researchers
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