Quantum Biology
Do biological systems directly depend on the laws of quantum mechanics? To date, quantum processes have been (a) observed in bio-relevant chemistry, such as electron tunneling in enzymes, (b) implicated in important life processes, such as photosynthesis, and (c) hypothesized to underlie organism-level effects, such as avian magnetic navigation. The field of quantum biology proposes that these phenomena are just the tip of the iceberg and its top researchers are seeking to prove it.
Publications and Lab Updates
Quantum biology is the study of quantum effects in biological systems. While biology trivially depends on quantum laws since life contains molecules which have chemical bonds, there are also a variety of non-trivial quantum effects studied by quantum biologists.
Magnetobiology
Weak magnetic fields have measurable biological effects, though these effects are poorly understood on a practical and theoretical level. Theoretical work will define the space of possible explanations while experimental work, as in Leverage’s new magnetobiology lab, will rule those explanations in or out.
Publications and Lab Updates
Magnetobiology is the study of the effects of magnetic fields in living systems, especially weak magnetic fields like the Earth’s. While some magnetic effects are well-established and have clear explanations, many effects have not been pinned down and clearly tied to causes.
A Brief Introduction to the Radical Pair Mechanism
The radical pair mechanism (RPM) is a quantum-chemical mechanism from the field of spin chemistry. This paper introduces the RPM and covers how open questions can be studied analytically, by calculation, and by experiment.
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A Concise Overview of Wolfram’s Research
Stephen Wolfram's research has important implications for both science and philosophy. Start here for an introduction covering the central findings, applications in fields from biology to physics, and a treatment of some of the objections raised to his work.
A Quantum Biological Construction of the Radical Pair Mechanism
This papers explores a biophysical construction of the Radical Pair Mechanism, which permits a more intuitive description as compared to typical physical or chemical models.
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Bottlenecks in Longevity Research
Life expectancy increased dramatically over the twentieth century. If similar gains are to be made again, radical advances in our understanding of biology are necessary. This report describes the social and institutional barriers to progress in longevity research, which are relatively small, and the technical barriers, which constitute the real bottleneck.
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Introduction to Quantum Biology
For a variety of biological phenomena, the only known explanation involves the laws of quantum physics. Learn about whether and how biology runs on quantum and what that means for the future of health, longevity, biomanufacturing, and more.
Quantum Biology Risks
An assessment of technological risks that may arise through the study of quantum biology. Performed by the Archimedes Network for Leverage as part of Leverage's Assessing Risks from Quantum Biology grant program from May 2024.
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Quantum Biology Roadmap
As part of supporting the Quantum Biology Institute, we worked with the team to put together a roadmap laying steps necessary to kickstart an industry around quantum biology. You can see the roadmap and learn more about the Quantum Biology Ecosystem at: https://www.quantumbiology.eco/roadmap
A Quantum Biological Construction of the Radical Pair Mechanism
This papers explores a biophysical construction of the Radical Pair Mechanism, which permits a more intuitive description as compared to typical physical or chemical models.
A Brief Introduction to the Radical Pair Mechanism
The radical pair mechanism (RPM) is a quantum-chemical mechanism from the field of spin chemistry. This paper introduces the RPM and covers how open questions can be studied analytically, by calculation, and by experiment.
A Concise Overview of Wolfram’s Research
Stephen Wolfram's research has important implications for both science and philosophy. Start here for an introduction covering the central findings, applications in fields from biology to physics, and a treatment of some of the objections raised to his work.
Quantum Biology Risks
An assessment of technological risks that may arise through the study of quantum biology. Performed by the Archimedes Network for Leverage as part of Leverage's Assessing Risks from Quantum Biology grant program from May 2024.
Quantum Biology Roadmap
As part of supporting the Quantum Biology Institute, we worked with the team to put together a roadmap laying steps necessary to kickstart an industry around quantum biology. You can see the roadmap and learn more about the Quantum Biology Ecosystem at: https://www.quantumbiology.eco/roadmap
Introduction to Quantum Biology
For a variety of biological phenomena, the only known explanation involves the laws of quantum physics. Learn about whether and how biology runs on quantum and what that means for the future of health, longevity, biomanufacturing, and more.
Bottlenecks in Longevity Research
Life expectancy increased dramatically over the twentieth century. If similar gains are to be made again, radical advances in our understanding of biology are necessary. This report describes the social and institutional barriers to progress in longevity research, which are relatively small, and the technical barriers, which constitute the real bottleneck.