Quantum coherent dynamics in photosynthetic protein complexes
Ajay Jha1,2, Fulu Zheng3, Zihui Liu3
1Rosalind Franklin Institute, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, UK. ajay.jha@rfi.ac.uk.
Chemical Society Reviews
|December 23, 2025
Summary
Quantum effects significantly influence energy transfer in photosynthesis. Understanding system-bath interactions reveals how biological systems utilize quantum coherence for efficient energy and charge transfer.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Quantum Biology
- Photosynthesis Research
Background:
- Quantum mechanics principles are explored for biological system evolution.
- Quantum coherence effects in photosynthetic systems are a key research area.
- Pigment-protein interactions within photosynthetic complexes are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review studies on excitonic energy transfer in photosynthetic systems.
- To examine the influence of coherence and system-bath interactions on transfer efficiency.
- To discuss advancements in natural and artificial photosynthetic systems.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of chlorophyll absorption properties and protein complex structures.
- Introduction to multidimensional coherent spectroscopy and ultrafast techniques.
- Discussion of theoretical models like quantum master equations.
Main Results:
- Protein environments modulate quantum coherence.
- System-bath interactions and dissipation are vital for efficient energy transfer.
- Quantum dynamics overcome coherence fragility under physiological conditions.
Conclusions:
- Quantum effects play a critical role in photosynthetic energy transfer.
- Understanding system-bath interactions is essential for optimizing photosynthetic efficiency.
- This review synthesizes current knowledge on quantum dynamics in photosynthesis.
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