Quantum Biology: The Hidden Nature of Nature

Can the spooky world of quantum physics explain bird navigation, photosynthesis and even our delicate sense of smell? Clues are mounting that the rules governing the subatomic realm may play an unexpectedly pivotal role in the visible world. Join leading thinkers in the emerging field of quantum biology as they explore the hidden hand of quantum physics in everyday life and discuss how these insights may one day revolutionize thinking on everything from the energy crisis to quantum computers.

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Original Program Date: June 1, 2012
MODERATOR: John Hockenberry
PARTICIPANTS: Paul Davies, Seth Lloyd, Thorsten Ritz

John Hockenberry's introduction 00:00

Participant Introductions 06:28

How is there a convergence between biology and the quantum? 7:45

Are particles in two places at once or is this based just on observations? 12:43

Are biological states creating a unique quantum rules? 17:32

Quantum mechanics is so counterintuitive. 23:00

Can nature have a quantum sense? 27:29

The quantum migration of birds... With bird brains? 31:50

Electron spin and magnetic fields. 37:00

Cryptochrome releases particles with spin and the bird knows where to go. 40:28

How is bird migration an example for evolution? 49:13

photosynthesis and quantum phenomena. 55:00

Bacteria doing quantum search. 1:00:21

Is quantum tunneling the key to quantum biology? 1:06:56

What are the experiments that prove this? 1:12:28

When fields converge how do you determine causality? 1:19:49

We have no idea how life began. 1:24:59

Replication leads to variation which is the beginning of life? 1:31:05