Conduction pathways in microtubules, biological quantum computation, and consciousness.

Full Abstract

Technological computation is entering the quantum realm, focusing attention on biomolecular information processing systems such as proteins, as presaged by the work of Michael Conrad. Protein conformational dynamics and pharmacological evidence suggest that protein conformational states-fundamental information units ('bits') in biological systems-are governed by quantum events, and are thus perhaps akin to quantum bits ('qubits') as utilized in quantum computation. 'Real time' dynamic activities within cells are regulated by the cell cytoskeleton, particularly microtubules (MTs) which are cylindrical lattice polymers of the protein tubulin. Recent evidence shows signaling, communication and conductivity in MTs, and theoretical models have predicted both classical and quantum information processing in MTs. In this paper we show conduction pathways for electron mobility and possible quantum tunneling and superconductivity among aromatic amino acids in tubulins. The pathways within tubulin match helical patterns in the microtubule lattice structure, which lend themselves to topological quantum effects resistant to decoherence. The Penrose-Hameroff 'Orch OR' model of consciousness is reviewed as an example of the possible utility of quantum computation in MTs.

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Author information

Author/s: Hameroff, Stuart (S); Nip, Alex (A); Porter, Mitchell (M); Tuszynski, Jack (J);

Affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Psychology, Center for Consciousness Studies, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. hameroff(-atsign-)u.arizona.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Historical Article; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Bio Systems (Biosystems), published in Ireland. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Jan; vol 64 (issue 1-3) : pp 149-68

Dates: Created 2001/12/28; Completed 2002/03/19; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 11755497, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

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Associated Chemicals: Tubulin (0)

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