Quantum processes in biomolecules: from biology to quantum technologies

Advances in experimental and theoretical tools have deepened our understanding of the mechanisms by which nature harnesses quantum phenomena under ambient conditions. In this talk, I will review our research aimed at characterizing and unambiguously probing quantum coherent processes in single photoactive molecular systems. I will describe our theoretical efforts to understand how natural cellular environments can alter the quantum mechanisms underlying efficient energy-transfer pathways in photoactive biomolecules [1,2]. Next, I will present an example of how the interplay between electronic and molecular motions in biomolecules can lead to non-trivial transient quantum synchronization processes [3,4] that prevent ineffective dissipation and discuss how we can experimentally assess such non-trivial quantum phenomena at the single-molecule level [5]. Bridging quantum science, biology and quantum chemistry this research is not only accelerating a paradigm shift in our understanding of life’s molecular machinery but also paves a pathway for the development of robust quantum-enhanced technologies [6]

[1] “Theory of photosynthetic membrane influence on B800-B850 energy transfer in the LH2 complex,” Chawntell Kulkarni, Hallmann Óskar Gestsson, Lorenzo Cupellini, Benedetta Mennucci, Alexandra Olaya-Castro, Biophysical Journal, Volume 124, Issue 5, 722 – 739 (2025) [2] “Non-perturbative exciton transfer rate analysis of the Fenna–Matthews–Olson photosynthetic complex under reducing and oxidizing conditions,” Hallmann Ó. Gestsson, Charlie Nation, Jacob S. Higgins, Gregory S. Engel, Alexandra Olaya-Castro, J. Chem. Phys. 162, 114114 (2025) [3] “Transient synchronisation and quantum coherence in a bio-inspired vibronic dimer,” Stefan Siwiak-Jaszek and Alexandra Olaya-Castro, Faraday Discuss., 216, 38-56 (2019) [4] “Quantum phase synchronization via exciton-vibrational energy dissipation sustains long-lived coherence in photosynthetic antennas,” Zhu, R., Li, W., Zhen, Z. et al. Nat Commun 15, 3171 (2024). [5] “Two-colour photon correlations probe coherent vibronic contributions to electronic excitation transport under incoherent illumination,” Charlie Nation, Valentina Notararigo, Hallmann Oskar Gestsson, Luca Sapienza, Alexandra Olaya-Castro, arXiv:2403.00857 (2024) [6] “The Quantum Information Science Challenge for Chemistry,” Gregory D. Scholes, Alexandra Olaya-Castro, Shaul Mukamel, Adam Kirrander, Kang-Kuen Ni, Gordon J. Hedley, Natia L. Frank, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 16, 5, 1376–1396 (2025)