Model of biological quantum logic in DNA

Area of Science:

• Quantum Biology
• Molecular Electronics
• Biophysics

Background:

• DNA exhibits properties suggesting potential as a quantum information processor.
• Coherent electron transport along DNA has been experimentally verified.
• DNA's helical structure influences electron spin, acting as a spin filter.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore DNA's capacity as a quantum logic processor.
• To elucidate the mechanisms of electron spin coherence and filtering in DNA.
• To investigate the role of nucleotide structure in quantum gate functionality.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of pi-stacking interactions in nucleotide bases for electron conduction.
• Investigation of DNA helicity's effect on electron spin filtering.
• Examination of chiral symmetry in deoxyribose moieties for quantum gate operation.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated coherent electron conduction along DNA via nucleotide pi-stacking.
• Confirmed efficient electron spin filtering due to DNA's helicity.
• Identified nucleotide enantiomers (C2-endo and C3-endo) as functional quantum gates.
• Linked symmetry breaking to electron spin and orbital angular momentum overcoming an energy barrier.

Conclusions:

• DNA functions as a quantum logic processor through coherent electron spin transport and filtering.
• The chiral symmetry of deoxyribose moieties enables quantum gate operations within DNA.
• Quantum decision-making in DNA is governed by electron spin overcoming an energy barrier related to the Landauer limit.