Non-markovian electron tunneling in SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in structured environments

Area of Science:

• Quantum biology
• Virology
• Biophysics

Background:

• Non-Markovian quantum effects are increasingly recognized in biological processes but underexplored in virology.
• Understanding virus-host interactions at a quantum level is crucial for developing novel antiviral strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of quantum tunneling on SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics.
• To model the interaction between the viral spike protein and the host ACE2 receptor using quantum mechanics.

Main Methods:

• Employed non-Markovian quantum state diffusion (NMQSD) to model electron transfer.
• Focused on vibrational modes within the lipid membrane environment.
• Analyzed interactions in an intermediate coupling regime, challenging semiclassical models.

Main Results:

• Quantum tunneling, mediated by specific vibrational modes, significantly enhances electron transfer efficiency and sustains quantum coherence.
• Interaction operates in an intermediate coupling regime where quantum coherence is pivotal.
• Tunneling efficiency is resonance-dependent, highly efficient below resonance and decreasing sharply above due to decoherence.

Conclusions:

• The host membrane environment actively optimizes electron transfer through quantum effects.
• Virus-host interactions can be understood through a new quantum paradigm.
• Modulating vibrational frequencies presents a potential new strategy for antiviral drug design.