The quantum avian compass probed on the single molecule level
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Department Name: Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Magneto-responsive proteins play a key role in neural systems and in the molecular compasses of migrating birds. Two decades ago, a protein called cryptochrome was suggested as a key component of the molecular compass.
The process of conversion between the singlet and triplet state of a cryptochrome protein forms the basis of magneto-sensing in birds. It has a quantum origin, which is evident in the proposed quantum beats of its dynamics. In fact, sensing of the geomagnetic field, six orders of magnitude smaller than the thermal energy, would not be possible in a classical way. To date, there has been no experimental single-molecule study of the quantum beat effect in cryptochrome. We propose to leverage the extreme sensitivity of a state-of-the art optical single-molecule optoplasmonic WGM sensor to resolve such transitions in real-time, and to determine the magneto-sensitive quantum yield of a single cryptochrome protein. We will also probe the influence of environmental electromagnetic radiation on the dynamics and magneto-sensing of cryptochrome.
This study is ground-breaking because it will provide direct proof of the theory of cryptochrome protein acting as the magneto-sensor of the molecular compass. The single molecule measurement will be able to determine the realistic parameters that are needed for the accurate modelling of the molecular compass. Also, contrary to other existing sensors, the molecule will be firmly attached to our sensor, and not randomly distributed in a solution, thereby replicating the condition of cryptochrome attached to a tissue of an animal. This study will also shed light on our understanding the potential influence of environmental electromagnetic pollution on the brain of birds and bees. We will study the influence of the electromagnetic radiation on the performance of the cryptochrome. It has been experimentally observed that the magnetic sensitivity of migrating birds can be disrupted when exposed to radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (0.5 to 10 MHz), even if employing miniscule intensities.
"If the bee disappear off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left" -Albert Einstein.
This research will be crucial for preparing the ground for future exploitation of the magneto-sensitive molecular machinery from which synthetic biology can profit, it will contribute to the understanding of complex effects in quantum biology as well as for studies of qubits in quantum computers in the longer term. This study may also lead to fabrication of ultra-compact devices that can be remotely guided by a beam of the electromagnetic radiation. The project will also contribute to understanding of the influence of the electromagnetic pollution on birds, bees and other magneto-sensitive animals.
The process of conversion between the singlet and triplet state of a cryptochrome protein forms the basis of magneto-sensing in birds. It has a quantum origin, which is evident in the proposed quantum beats of its dynamics. In fact, sensing of the geomagnetic field, six orders of magnitude smaller than the thermal energy, would not be possible in a classical way. To date, there has been no experimental single-molecule study of the quantum beat effect in cryptochrome. We propose to leverage the extreme sensitivity of a state-of-the art optical single-molecule optoplasmonic WGM sensor to resolve such transitions in real-time, and to determine the magneto-sensitive quantum yield of a single cryptochrome protein. We will also probe the influence of environmental electromagnetic radiation on the dynamics and magneto-sensing of cryptochrome.
This study is ground-breaking because it will provide direct proof of the theory of cryptochrome protein acting as the magneto-sensor of the molecular compass. The single molecule measurement will be able to determine the realistic parameters that are needed for the accurate modelling of the molecular compass. Also, contrary to other existing sensors, the molecule will be firmly attached to our sensor, and not randomly distributed in a solution, thereby replicating the condition of cryptochrome attached to a tissue of an animal. This study will also shed light on our understanding the potential influence of environmental electromagnetic pollution on the brain of birds and bees. We will study the influence of the electromagnetic radiation on the performance of the cryptochrome. It has been experimentally observed that the magnetic sensitivity of migrating birds can be disrupted when exposed to radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (0.5 to 10 MHz), even if employing miniscule intensities.
"If the bee disappear off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left" -Albert Einstein.
This research will be crucial for preparing the ground for future exploitation of the magneto-sensitive molecular machinery from which synthetic biology can profit, it will contribute to the understanding of complex effects in quantum biology as well as for studies of qubits in quantum computers in the longer term. This study may also lead to fabrication of ultra-compact devices that can be remotely guided by a beam of the electromagnetic radiation. The project will also contribute to understanding of the influence of the electromagnetic pollution on birds, bees and other magneto-sensitive animals.
Organisations
Publications
Schuhmann F
(2024)
Structural Rearrangements of Pigeon Cryptochrome 4 Undergoing a Complete Redox Cycle
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry B
Zossimova E
(2024)
Whispering gallery mode sensing through the lens of quantum optics, artificial intelligence, and nanoscale catalysis
in Applied Physics Letters
| Description | we are now capable of using our single molecule technology to investigate the effect magnetic field have on proteins such as cryptochrome which are thought to act as compasses in birds. Beyond that, this grant enabled developing sensing methodology for radical pairs and absorbing molecules on wGM sensors. This will be fundamental capability exploited in future research and grant proposals. leading up to investigating the response of proteins to magnetic fields, detected as changes in fluorescence emission and conformation with the application of external magnetic fields, we found an important way to characterise the presence of Tryptophan residues in the protein as the components that respond to the magnetic field. The presence of the important Tryp residues can be characterised by what is known as Stern-Volmer Quenching, a method we now apply to prepare the samples for the next step of the experiment which is ongoing. |
| Exploitation Route | our single molecule sensor technology has found widespread use in academia. users of this technology now have the ability to investigate magneto-optical and quantum biology effects at the single molecule level. furthermore, effects of RF fields on biomatter can be investigated with highest precision. |
| Sectors | Environment Healthcare |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0216468 |
| Title | methodology for sensing radial states of molecules |
| Description | use of single molecule sensors based on whispering gallery modes to detect radical states of molecules from their absorbance which gives signature sensing patterns identified on WGM sensors at single molecule level. The methodology senses occurence of radical states (with absorbance) in real time. This will allow detection of magnetic field responses in proteins such as cryptochrome, see perspective article: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0216468 |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | with this tool we can investigate quantum biology at single molecule level i.e. by detecting the response of proteins such as crytochrome (the molecular compass in birds) to magentic fields by tracking kinetics of radical states of the protein: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0216468 |
| URL | https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0216468 |