Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin: On Coherent Quantum Effects in Biology

Workshop 2012/2013

On Coherent Quantum Effects in Biology

01.–02. Mai 2013

It has long been recognized that quantum mechanics underlies biology, determining the structure, energetics and stability of biomolecules and thereby providing an important fundamental tool for the study of biological systems. However the recognition that quantum dynamical phenomena can also play a key role in biological systems is relatively recent. This has been spurred by advances in experimental techniques probing condensed phase chemical dynamics that have given access to the fundamental molecular processes underlying phenomena such as vision, electronic energy transfer in light harvesting and animal navigation. A number of such studies have shown that quantum dynamical effects may play a role in these biological processes. Recently, much interest has focused on photosynthesis, where evidence for non-trivial quantum dynamical effects has been found with use of state-of-the-art ultrafast non-linear spectroscopy. These techniques have revealed that the energy transfer following absorption of a photon by photosynthetic units in plants and bacteria displays a coherent wave-like propagation of electronic excitation, contradicting the conventional view of classical, diffusive energy flow between molecules.

As a result of this surge in dynamical studies that can probe the time scales on which quantum dynamical effects are manifested, there is now a renaissance of interest in the field of quantum biology, in which researchers from physics and chemistry seek to understand at the molecular level when, where, and why quantum dynamical effects are to be found in biological systems. This Seminar will bring together biologists, chemists and physicists with backgrounds relevant to quantum biology, with particular emphasis on photosynthesis. Our goal for this Seminar/Workshop is to first mutually educate ourselves with regard to the key features and characteristics of the physics and biology of these systems. Within this framework, we may then undertake a broadly based discussion across the physical and biological disciplines that will enable us to identify the key questions and challenges for the essential cross-disciplinary work that will be required to make larger progress on understanding the larger meaning of quantum dynamical effects in natural systems. Formulating well-posed problems based on the new experimental probes of quantum dynamics in biological systems will allow us to address key questions as to the possible role of quantum effects in enhancing the fitness and/or diversification and adaptation of plant and bacterial organisms to changing environmental conditions.