Quantum Reports,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
3(1), P. 80 - 126
Published: Jan. 26, 2021
Understanding
the
rules
of
life
is
one
most
important
scientific
endeavours
and
has
revolutionised
both
biology
biotechnology.
Remarkable
advances
in
observation
techniques
allow
us
to
investigate
a
broad
range
complex
dynamic
biological
processes
which
living
systems
could
exploit
quantum
behaviour
enhance
regulate
functions.
Recent
evidence
suggests
that
these
non-trivial
mechanical
effects
may
play
crucial
role
maintaining
non-equilibrium
state
biomolecular
systems.
Quantum
study
such
aspects
In
this
review,
we
summarise
latest
progress
biology,
including
areas
enzyme-catalysed
reactions,
photosynthesis,
spin-dependent
DNA,
fluorescent
proteins,
ion
channels.
Many
results
are
expected
be
fundamental
building
blocks
towards
understanding
life.
Frontiers in Physiology,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
12
Published: May 19, 2021
The
geomagnetic
field
provides
directional
information
for
birds.
avian
magnetic
compass
is
an
inclination
that
uses
not
the
polarity
of
but
axial
course
lines
and
their
in
space.
It
works
a
flexible
functional
window,
it
requires
short-wavelength
light.
These
characteristics
result
from
underlying
sensory
mechanism
based
on
radical
pair
processes
eyes,
with
cryptochrome
suggested
as
receptor
molecule.
chromophore
cryptochrome,
flavin
adenine
dinucleotide
(FAD),
undergoes
photocycle,
where
pairs
are
formed
during
photo-reduction
well
re-oxidation;
behavioral
data
indicate
latter
crucial
detecting
directions.
Five
types
cryptochromes
found
retina
birds:
1a
(Cry1a),
1b,
2,
4a,
4b.
Because
its
location
outer
segments
ultraviolet
cones
clear
oil
droplets,
Cry1a
appears
to
be
most
likely
molecule
information.
Journal of The Royal Society Interface,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
18(184)
Published: Nov. 1, 2021
The
biophysical
mechanism
of
the
magnetic
compass
sensor
in
migratory
songbirds
is
thought
to
involve
photo-induced
radical
pairs
formed
cryptochrome
(Cry)
flavoproteins
located
photoreceptor
cells
eyes.
In
Cry4a—the
most
likely
six
known
avian
Crys
have
a
sensing
function—four
pair
states
are
sequentially
by
stepwise
transfer
an
electron
along
chain
four
tryptophan
residues
photo-excited
flavin.
purified
Cry4a
from
European
robin,
third
these
flavin–tryptophan
more
magnetically
sensitive
than
fourth,
consistent
with
smaller
separation
radicals
former.
Here,
we
explore
idea
that
two
could
exist
rapid
dynamic
equilibrium
such
key
and
kinetic
properties
weighted
averages.
Spin
dynamics
simulations
suggest
largely
responsible
for
while
fourth
may
be
better
placed
initiate
signalling
particularly
if
terminal
can
reduced
nearby
tyrosine.
Such
arrangement
allowed
independent
optimization
essential
functions
protein.
It
might
also
rationalize
why
has
tryptophans
plants
only
three.
Quantum Science and Technology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
9(3), P. 035041 - 035041
Published: May 8, 2024
Abstract
Quantum
sensing
enables
the
ultimate
precision
attainable
in
parameter
estimation.
Circumstantial
evidence
suggests
that
certain
organisms,
most
notably
migratory
songbirds,
also
harness
quantum-enhanced
magnetic
field
via
a
radical-pair-based
chemical
compass
for
precise
detection
of
weak
geomagnetic
field.
However,
what
underpins
acuity
such
operating
noisy
biological
setting,
at
physiological
temperatures,
remains
an
open
question.
Here,
we
address
fundamental
limits
inferring
directions
from
radical-pair
spin
dynamics.
Specifically,
compare
precision,
as
derived
directional
dependence
recombination
yield,
to
potentially
realisable
by
quantum
measurement
on
system
under
steady-state
conditions.
To
this
end,
probe
Fisher
information
and
associated
Cramér–Rao
bound
models
realistic
complexity,
accounting
complex
inter-radical
interactions,
multitude
hyperfine
couplings,
asymmetric
kinetics,
characteristic
magnetosensory
protein
cryptochrome.
We
several
implicated
cryptochrome
magnetoreception
unveil
their
optimality
through
measurements
ostensibly
accessible
nature.
Overall,
comparison
provides
insight
into
processes
honed
nature
realise
whilst
constrained
with
mere
reaction
yields.
Generally,
inference
orientation
yields
approaches
yet
levels
off
short
theoretical
optimal
bounds
up
one
or
two
orders
magnitude,
thus
underscoring
potential
improving
design
principles
inherent
natural
systems.
Protein Science,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
30(8), P. 1521 - 1534
Published: May 16, 2021
Cryptochromes
(CRYs)
function
as
blue
light
photoreceptors
in
diverse
physiological
processes
nearly
all
kingdoms
of
life.
Over
the
past
several
decades,
they
have
emerged
most
likely
candidates
for
light-dependent
magnetoreception
animals,
however,
a
long
history
conflicts
between
vitro
photochemistry
and
vivo
behavioral
data
complicate
validation
CRYs
magnetosensor.
In
this
review,
we
highlight
origins
regarding
CRY
signal
transduction,
identify
recent
that
provides
clarity
on
potential
mechanisms
transduction
magnetoreception.
The
review
primarily
focuses
examining
differences
plant
animal
CRYs,
identifies
modes
convergent
evolution
within
these
independent
lineages
may
conserved
signaling
pathways.
JACS Au,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
1(11), P. 2033 - 2046
Published: Oct. 5, 2021
Many
birds
are
endowed
with
a
visual
magnetic
sense
that
may
exploit
magnetosensitive
radical
recombination
processes
in
the
protein
cryptochrome.
In
this
widely
accepted
but
unproven
model,
geomagnetic
sensitivity
is
suggested
to
arise
from
variations
rate
of
pair
radicals,
whose
unpaired
electron
spins
undergo
coherent
singlet-triplet
interconversion
field
by
coupling
nuclear
via
hyperfine
interactions.
However,
simulations
conventional
mechanism
(RPM)
predicted
only
tiny
magnetosensitivities
for
realistic
conditions
because
RPM's
directional
strongly
suppressed
intrinsic
electron-electron
dipolar
(EED)
interactions,
casting
doubt
on
its
viability
as
sensor.
We
show
how
RPM-suppression
problem
overcome
three-radical
system
which
third
"scavenger"
reacts
one
member
primary
pair.
use
finding
predict
substantial
effects
exceed
those
RPM
presence
EED
interactions
animal
cryptochromes.
Journal of the American Chemical Society,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
144(50), P. 22902 - 22914
Published: Dec. 2, 2022
The
magnetic
compass
of
migratory
birds
is
thought
to
rely
on
a
radical
pair
reaction
inside
the
blue-light
photoreceptor
protein
cryptochrome.
sensitivity
such
sensor
weak
external
fields
determined
by
variety
interactions,
including
electron-nuclear
hyperfine
interactions.
Here,
we
investigate
implications
thermal
motion,
focusing
fluctuations
in
dihedral
and
librational
angles
flavin
adenine
dinucleotide
(FAD)
tryptophan
(Trp)
radicals
cryptochrome
4a
from
European
robin
(Erithacus
rubecula,
ErCry4a)
pigeon
(Columba
livia,
ClCry4a)
1
plant
Arabidopsis
thaliana
(AtCry1).
Molecular
dynamics
simulations
density
functional
theory-derived
interactions
are
used
calculate
quantum
yield
recombination
dependent
direction
geomagnetic
field.
This
quantity
various
dynamical
parameters
compared
for
[FAD•-
Trp•+]
ErCry4a,
ClCry4a,
AtCry1,
with
TrpC
or
TrpD
being
third
fourth
components
triad/tetrad
respective
proteins.
We
find
that
(i)
differences
average
pairs
small,
(ii)
motions
TrpC•+
avian
cryptochromes
appreciably
smaller
than
(iii)
rapid
vibrational
leading
strong
couplings
affect
spin
depending
usage
instantaneous
time-averaged
Future
investigations
should
therefore
not
be
based
single
snapshots
structure
but
include
ensemble
properties
PLoS Computational Biology,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
18(9), P. e1010519 - e1010519
Published: Sept. 15, 2022
Adult
hippocampal
neurogenesis
and
hippocampus-dependent
cognition
in
mice
have
been
found
to
be
adversely
affected
by
hypomagnetic
field
exposure.
The
effect
concurred
with
a
reduction
of
reactive
oxygen
species
the
absence
geomagnetic
field.
A
recent
theoretical
study
suggests
mechanistic
interpretation
this
phenomenon
framework
Radical
Pair
Mechanism.
According
model,
flavin-superoxide
radical
pair,
born
singlet
spin
configuration,
undergoes
magnetic
field-dependent
dynamics
such
that
pair’s
recombination
is
enhanced
as
applied
reduced.
This
model
has
two
ostensible
weaknesses:
a)
assumption
initial
state
irreconcilable
known
reaction
pathways
generating
pairs,
b)
neglects
swift
relaxation
free
superoxide,
which
abolishes
any
sensitivity
geomagnetic/hypomagnetic
fields.
We
here
suggest
based
on
triad
secondary
scavenging
can,
principle,
explain
without
unnatural
assumptions,
thus
providing
coherent
explanation
effects
biology.
Health Physics,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
124(1), P. 39 - 52
Published: Nov. 3, 2022
This
report
summarizes
effects
of
anthropogenic
electric,
magnetic,
and
electromagnetic
fields
in
the
frequency
range
from
0
to
100
MHz
on
flora
fauna,
as
presented
at
an
international
workshop
held
5-7
November
2019
Munich,
Germany.
Such
may
originate
overhead
powerlines,
earth
or
sea
cables,
wireless
charging
systems.
Animals
plants
react
differentially
fields;
mechanisms
underlying
these
responses
are
still
researched
actively.
Radical
pairs
magnetite
discussed
magnetoreception
insects,
birds,
mammals.
Moreover,
several
insects
well
marine
species
possess
specialized
electroreceptors,
behavioral
reactions
have
been
reported.
Plants
experimental
modifications
their
magnetic
environment
by
growth
changes.
Strong
adverse
not
described,
but
knowledge
gaps
were
identified;
further
studies,
aiming
identification
interaction
ecological
consequences,
recommended.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
13(45), P. 10500 - 10506
Published: Nov. 4, 2022
The
mechanism
underlying
magnetoreception
has
long
eluded
explanation.
A
popular
hypothesis
attributes
this
sense
to
the
quantum
coherent
spin
dynamics
and
spin-selective
recombination
reactions
of
radical
pairs
in
protein
cryptochrome.
However,
concerns
about
validity
have
been
raised
because
unavoidable
inter-radical
interactions,
such
as
strong
electron–electron
dipolar
coupling,
appear
suppress
its
sensitivity.
We
demonstrate
that
sensitivity
can
be
restored
by
driving
system
through
a
modulation
distance.
It
is
shown
dynamical
process
markedly
enhances
geomagnetic
field
strongly
coupled
via
Landau–Zener–Stückelberg–Majorana
transitions
between
singlet
triplet
states.
These
findings
suggest
"live"
harmonically
driven
magnetoreceptor
more
sensitive
than
"dead"
static
counterpart.
