Quantum biology of the retina

Abstract

The emerging field of quantum biology has led to a greater understanding of biological processes at the microscopic level. There is recent evidence to suggest that non-trivial quantum features such as entanglement, tunnelling and coherence have evolved in living systems. These quantum features are particularly evident in supersensitive light-harvesting systems such as in photosynthesis and photoreceptors. A biomimetic strategy utilizing biological quantum phenomena might allow new advances in the field of quantum engineering, particularly in quantum information systems. In addition, a better understanding of quantum biological features may lead to novel medical diagnostic and therapeutic developments. In the present review, we discuss the role of quantum physics in biological systems with an emphasis on the retina.

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“…Although the concept of quantum entanglement may appear esoteric and distant from the daily routine of biological entities, quantum coherence and entanglement are at work in phenomena such as the origin of life (38), photosynthesis, a process at the basis of today's life on this planet (39), biology of the retina (40), bird navigation in the skies (41), fish communication in the water (42), and human consciousness (for reference in addition to Hameroff et al (34), see a recent study using Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the human brain (43). It is therefore of interest to consider that each phenomenon of quantum entanglement is associated with formation of a wormhole through the geometry of entanglement (44), a phenomenon that could explain the apparent reversal of direction of time in the experiments of Mothersill et al, a reversal of time described by the Authors as "temporally displaced awareness after the fish become entangled" (42).…”

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“…Typically, macroscopic quantum effects are manifest only at temperatures close to absolute zero where quanta coalesce to form macroscopic quantum systems such as superfluids and superconductors. However, recent experiments have demonstrated quantum effects in photosynthetic systems, the retina and the avian compass (Al-Khalili and McFadden, 2014;Gauger et al, 2011;Sia, 2014). Physicists have developed systems of feedback and control which show that the barriers to the creation of macroscopic quantum system, "Schrodinger cats," are technical not conceptual (Haroche, 2012).…”

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“…Despite nerve xenografts represent an available and unlimited source of material for transplant, they are unlikely to be of clinical value for nerve repair. Nerve allografts show superior nerve regeneration compared with nerve xenografts (Wood et al 2014 ). In addition, the risk of crossspecies disease transmission should be considered for the use of xenografts.…”

“…Retina is a light-sensitive organ that lines the back of the eye. It is responsible for photo transduction, where light energy is translated into chemical and electrical energy (Sia et al 2014 ). These signals are further transmitted via optic nerve from the retina to the brain.…”