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Advancing understanding of long COVID pathophysiology through quantum walk-based network analysis
Jaesub Park1,2,3, Woochang Hwang4, Seokjun Lee1,2,3
1Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, United Kingdom.
Bioinformatics Advances
|March 12, 2026
Summary
Quantum walk analysis reveals key mechanisms in Long COVID, identifying mitochondrial dysfunction and VDAC1 as potential therapeutic targets for this complex post-viral condition.
Area of Science:
- Computational Biology
- Systems Biology
- Quantum Computing Applications in Medicine
Background:
- Long COVID is a complex multisystem condition with persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- The underlying mechanisms of Long COVID, including persistent inflammation and neurological effects, are not fully understood.
- Exploring large-scale protein interaction networks is crucial for identifying disease drivers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms of Long COVID using a novel computational approach.
- To identify key proteins and pathways involved in the pathophysiology of Long COVID.
- To uncover potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers for Long COVID.
Main Methods:
- Application of quantum walk, a quantum computational method, to analyze SARS-CoV-2-induced protein networks.
- Comparison of quantum walk with conventional random walk with restart methods.
- Identification of critical proteins and pathways through network traversal.
Main Results:
- Quantum walk effectively explored deeper network regions compared to random walk.
- Identified mitochondrial dysfunction, thromboinflammation, and neuronal inflammation as central Long COVID mechanisms.
- Uncovered the CDGSH iron-sulfur domain protein family and VDAC1 (a mitochondrial calcium transporter) as critical regulators.
- VDAC1 emerged as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target, with supporting evidence from existing compounds.
Conclusions:
- Quantum walk is a powerful tool for dissecting complex biological networks and understanding diseases like Long COVID.
- VDAC1 represents a promising target for therapeutic intervention in Long COVID.
- Further research into quantum walk applications can accelerate the discovery of treatments for complex diseases.
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