RESEARCH SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY IQB

Quantum Biology

Quantum biology is the field of study that investigates all processes in living organisms that cannot be fully described by the classical physics. Good examples of biological processes in which quantum effects are visible are the transport of electrons and protons in photosynthesis, respiration, vision, catalysis, olfaction, and in basically every other biological transport process. Furthermore, the transfer of electronic and/or vibrational energy, and magnetic field effects in electron transfer and bird migration also can be included. However, since all biological processes take place in an ‘open quantum system’, special physics laws need to be applied to it. The aim of quantum biology is to develop a consistent open quantum systems model that explains all these phenomena. Therefore, the Institute of Quantum Biophysics (IQB) aim to iron out technical difficulties in the methods for open quantum systems, understand quantum effects by using human-derived in-vitro living 2D/3D cells such as iPSC-derived cells or organoids, and visualize quantum phenomenon via real-time detection of quantum dynamics in living cells.