From Atoms To Words #3: From computers to biology - it's all quantum
Arturo Robertazzi
CGO & Co-Founder @ Quantistry | Quantum Chemist | Sales & Marketing Expert | Science Communicator | Published Novelist
Welcome to?From Atoms to Words , where this month we embark on a quantum journey, from biology to computing. After a funky detour into the significance of hydrogen bonds within living organisms, we then delve into the impact of quantum computing on chemical R&D and finally uncover the fuzzy connection between quantum mechanics and biological processes. Let's go!
What if there's a planet, orbiting one of those distant stars, where the trees are blue ??, the seas are yellow ?? , and a bunch of friendly bug-eyed giants live their lives?
Do they do physics? Do they love? Do they have two eyes, DNA, proteins? Do they have hydrogen bonds?
The thing is, probably they do.
Hydrogen bonds are the secret ingredient of life. On Earth and beyond.
Think structure, for example.
Our genetic and catalytic molecular machines, proteins and DNA, need a hierarchical chemical bond structure to do their job:
Hydrogen bonds play a crucial in this hierarchical chemical bond structure.
And it's not just that.
These molecular machines cannot survive in the void of space. They need a friendly molecular medium to thrive. ??
So, what makes a molecule suitable for the role of medium of life?
It all comes down (or almost) to hydrogen-bonding capabilities.
? Take methane. It's got four wimpy donors (C-H) but no acceptors, so it can only sustain weak hydrogen bonds. This raises the question of whether a biochemistry based on liquid methane is even feasible.
? Ammonia is a bit of a mixed bag ?? it has three donors (N-H) and only one acceptors. Hypothetical biochemistries based on liquid ammonia would be a bit shaky.
? And then, we have water. ?? Water is the queen ?? of the hydrogen bond realm.
You wanna know why?
?? Read further on From Earth to the Cosmos: How Hydrogen Bonds Shape Life ?|?#FromAtomsToWords
?? What are we humans but excitations of the quantum fields? ??
The universe itself is governed by the laws of quantum mechanics as is filled with particles that behave in ways that defeat our ordinary intuition.
I am talking about electrons and quarks, which are like little ripples in the underlying quantum fields that make up the fabric of reality.
?? And those particles, in turn, make up atoms and molecules - the building blocks of all life on Earth, including us. ??
So, when you really get down to it, we humans - along with plants, bacteria, and all other living things - may ultimately just be an emerging phenomenon from excitations of the quantum fields.
It's a provocative thought, but it could mean that the principles of quantum mechanics are at work in our very bodies and possibly brains, influencing everything from our behaviors down to our own existence. ??
??? How do we call this fuzzy connection between quantum mechanics and living things?
Quantum biology, of course. ??
You see, many aspects of biology just can’t be explained by classical physics alone, so we must turn to the counterintuitive rules of quantum mechanics to make sense of it.
??From the way energy is converted in biological processes, to the transfer of electrons and protons in photosynthesis and cellular respiration, there is mounting evidence that quantum mechanics shapes how living things function.
Some of the most studied ??? fuzzy connections between quantum mechanics and biology are:
?? Photosynthesis and superposition
领英推荐
?? Animal navigation systems and quantum entanglement
?? Cellular processes and quantum tunneling
You wanna geek out with me?
?? Read further on Quantum Biology: The Fuzzy Connection Between Quantum Mechanics and Living Things ?|?#FromAtomsToWords
Ah, quantum computers, what are they good for? “For now, absolutely nothing,” according to Michael Brooks on Nature.
?? And yet, everywhere you look, it’s the same old story: When quantum computing arrives, we’ll be able to?[insert miracle here].
The famous travelling salesman problem? No problemo. Financial forecasting? Quantum computing is gonna solve all the world’s economic problems. And then, of course, there’s the hyper-hype stuff. Quantum artificial intelligence.
It’s enough to make your head spin.
Now, while the?hype is overwhelming,?there’s some serious potential here - The quantum holy grail is real.
Think for instance about?the ultimate holy-grail combo:?quantum chemistry on quantum computers.
This powerful duo?promises to enhance?drug discovery,?battery development,?alloy design,?renewable energies?– just to name a few use cases.
?? But here’s the thing: When it comes to quantum computing for chemical R&D,?we can’t forget the decades of work?in?quantum chemistry?and?computational chemistry?that have come before.
We can’t ignore the fact that?atomistic simulations are already tested, established, and mostly accurate.
My point is: We don’t have to sit around twiddling our thumbs waiting for quantum computing to arrive.?We can start simulating today. We, computational people, have been doing it?for at least 50 years.
So, what really hinders the widespread use of atomistic simulations in chemical R&D?
?? Find out on: Do We Really Need Quantum Computing in Chemical R&D? ?| #FromAtomsToWords
+5 Bonus Stories
?? Beyond the Stars: Astrochemistry's Hunt for the Molecules of Life [Read more ]
?? Computational Chemistry 2043: A Quantum Peep into the Future [Read more ]
?? The Evolution of Quantum Chemistry: From Pencil and Paper to Quantum Computing [Read more ]
?? Quantum computers: what are they good for? |?Michael Brooks on Nature [Read more ]
?? If you are interested in what I do for a living, check this interview out! (@ Quantistry )
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#QuantumComputing #QuantistryLab #researchanddevelopment #ComputationalChemistry #QuantumChemistry #AtomisticSimulations #MolecularDynamics #ChemicalSimulations #Chemistry #HydrogenBonds #Proteins #DNA #Nature #MOF #MetalOrganicFrameworks #CO2 #QuantumBiology #QuantumMechanics
Senior Operations Manager at Diamond Light Source
1 年I'd expect it could pick up quicker, but people are sticking to too conservative cases. What's the biggest chemical system done through quantum simulations you've seen? I only saw a couple atoms' worth, which is great, mind you, but shows it needs traction.