Is life governed by the same rules as subatomic particles?
In short: For decades, biology and quantum physics lived in separate worlds. Biologists preferred simple models of molecules, while physicists stayed in their controlled labs. But new technology is finally allowing us to see if the 'weirdness' of the subatomic world actually powers the building blocks of life.
While chemistry is fundamentally built on quantum mechanics—the rules governing how atoms and molecules behave—biologists have historically been dismissive of these principles. They often favor traditional 'ball-and-stick' models to describe molecular structures, viewing the counter-intuitive nature of quantum theory as unnecessary for understanding living systems. Conversely, physicists have traditionally avoided the biological realm, preferring the clean, controlled environments of a laboratory over the messy complexity of a living cell.
This intellectual divide is beginning to shift because experimental techniques in biology have reached a new level of sophistication. Researchers are now equipped to test whether quantum phenomena like superposition and quantum tunneling occur within biological processes. These aren't just theoretical possibilities; they may be active mechanisms in how proteins fold, how genes mutate, and how plants efficiently harness light during photosynthesis.
One of the most compelling mysteries involves avian navigation, where some birds appear to use the Earth's magnetic field to orient themselves. This suggests that life might actively exploit 'the weirdness of the quantum world' to solve complex survival problems. By bridging these two fields, scientists hope to uncover how the most powerful theory in science provides the underlying blueprint for the complexity of life itself.
The Royal Institution has served as a hub for such interdisciplinary breakthroughs since 1825, when Michael Faraday began the tradition of Friday Evening Discourses. From J.J. Thomson's discovery of the electron in 1897 to modern inquiries into quantum biology, the institution continues to host the figures who redefine our understanding of the natural world.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Jim Al-Khalili - Quantum Life: How Physics Can Revolutionise Biology
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