Introduction to Quantum Biology
Although it is well known that the rules of quantum mechanics govern the shapes of atoms and molecules, and how they interact when they are close to each other, it is not clear whether the properties of the quanta that distinguish their dynamics from those of classical particles contribute meaningfully to biological functions. In this course, we will look for common mechanisms in recent studies of magnetoreception in migratory birds, efficient transport of energy in photosynthetic bacteria, enzyme function and the action of anesthetics in human brains cells that support the thesis that biology has evolved molecular structures that can sustain quantum coherent excitations for long enough times and across large enough regions to impact essential functions. In this interdisciplinary course, we will cover necessary terms from chemistry, biology and physics. (MATH 121 required, BIOL 145 or CHEM 103 or PHYS 109 recommended)

Siegfried Bleher has a PhD in physics (nonlinear dynamics), completed two postdoctoral appointments in computational transition state dynamics and quantum chaos, and has taught physics since 1994, most recently at Middlebury College. His current research is the nonlinear dynamics of photosynthetic molecules such as the FMO complex./