Exploring Biological Quantum Effects in Photosynthesis across Varied Spatial Scales
Meixia Ruan1, Yuxiang Weng1,2,3
1Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B
|April 1, 2026
Summary
Nature utilizes quantum effects for efficient photosynthesis. This study reveals quantum coherence in pigment complexes and a light-harvesting quantum switch in plants, demonstrating quantum design in biological systems.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Biology
- Photosynthesis Research
- Biophysics
Background:
- Quantum effects in nature are increasingly studied for their role in biological processes.
- Fundamental questions persist regarding the occurrence of coherent energy transfer in primary photochemical events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize recent findings on biological quantum effects in photosynthesis across various scales.
- To investigate quantum coherence in pigment-protein complexes and light-harvesting mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Spectroscopic analysis of pigment complexes (allophycocyanin, phycoerythrin 545, phycocyanin 620).
- Investigation of light-harvesting complex of photosystem II dynamics.
- Analysis of membrane vesicle architecture and LH2 structure.
Main Results:
- Observed exciton-vibrational coherence (up to 500 fs) and coherent energy transfer (220 fs) in allophycocyanin.
- Identified a quantum switch in photosystem II, regulating light harvesting and dissipation via protein dynamics.
- Demonstrated quantum design principles in membrane architecture, optimizing vesicle size for LH2 stability and coherence.
Conclusions:
- Quantum coherence plays a significant role in energy transfer within photosynthetic pigment complexes.
- Photosynthetic systems exhibit dynamic quantum mechanisms, like the photosystem II quantum switch, for efficient light management.
- Quantum principles are integral to the macroscale design of photosynthetic membrane structures.
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