A team of scientists from various institutions has proposed that DNA operates as a perfect quantum computer. The researchers explained the aromaticity of DNA through the oscillatory resonant quantum state of correlated electron and hole pairs. They also discussed the approach of a Josephson Effect between two superconductors and the condensation of the nitrogenous bases to obtain the two entangled quantum states that form the qubit. This research opens prospects for rapid and reliable genome analysis, promising the establishment of personalized medicine in cancer and other health problems.
DNA as a Quantum Computer: A Quantum Physics Perspective
The research was conducted by a team of scientists from various institutions. Raul Riera Aroche is from the Department of Research in Physics at the University of Sonora. Yveth Marlene Ortiz García is affiliated with the Research Institute of Dentistry at the University of Guadalajara. Meylín Aymeé Martínez Arellano and Annie Riera Leal are both from the General Hospital of the State of Sonora.
DNA: A Complex Multiresolution Molecule
DNA is a complex multiresolution molecule. Its theoretical study is challenging due to its intrinsic multiscale nature. Understanding its structure and operation as a quantum computer requires knowledge of chemistry, quantum physics, and quantum informatics. The researchers presented theoretical results that allow a better description of DNA’s structure and operation process in the transmission, coding, and decoding of genetic information.
DNA’s Quantum States and Operation
The researchers explained the aromaticity of DNA through the oscillatory resonant quantum state of correlated electron and hole pairs due to the quantized molecular vibrational energy acting as an attractive force. The correlated pairs form a supercurrent in the nitrogenous bases in a single-band molecular orbital. The central Hydrogen bond between Adenine (A) and Thymine (T) or Guanine (G) and Cytosine (C) functions like an ideal Josephson Junction.
DNA as a Quantum Computer
The researchers proposed that DNA operates as a perfect quantum computer. They explained the approach of a Josephson Effect between two superconductors and the condensation of the nitrogenous bases to obtain the two entangled quantum states that form the qubit. Combining the quantum state of the composite system with the classical information RNA polymerase teleports one of the four Bell states.
DNA Sequencing and Quantum Computing
Advances in DNA sequencing open prospects for rapid and reliable genome analysis, promising the establishment of personalized medicine in cancer and other health problems. Quantum computing, which is based on a set of operations to be performed simultaneously, offers potential solutions to issues associated with DNA sequencing techniques.
DNA Cryptography: A New Field
DNA cryptography is a new field that emerged with the research of DNA computing. In this field, the biological polymer is used as an information resource and modern biological technology is used as an implementation tool. However, our understanding of the physics of biological molecules such as DNA is limited due to their configurational complexity.
Quantum Systems and DNA
Any quantum system with two well-defined states is enough to create a qubit. Some quantum systems well characterized in which their electronic states represent the qubit states are ion or atom traps, quantum dots, the nuclear spins of one or several molecules, and the superconducting loops with a persistent current. The power of quantum computing is brought about by its inherent parallelism and entanglement.
“DNA as a perfect quantum computer based on the quantum physics principle” by Raul Riera Aroche, Yveth Marlene Ortiz‐García, Meylín Aymeé Martínez Arellano, Annie Riera Leal, published on Research Square (Research Square) on January 5, 2024.
