Could Our Cells Be Biological Quantum Computers?

For years, the notion that quantum effects could survive the warm, wet chaos of a living cell seemed improbable. However, a new physical model suggests that microtubules—the tiny protein filaments forming the cell's skeleton—might act as highly efficient quantum computers. The authors propose that the interiors of these structures behave as high-quality quantum electrodynamics (QED) cavities, capable of shielding entangled states from environmental noise.

According to the study, this protection arises from strong interactions between tubulin proteins and ordered water molecules inside the filament. This unique environment allows quantum coherence to persist for roughly a microsecond, a duration sufficient for significant biological operations. Within this framework, 'solitons'—self-reinforcing waves—carry energy along the microtubule without any dissipation, ensuring that signals remain strong and clear.

The implications for biological intelligence are profound. The research outlines how microtubule-associated proteins could facilitate logic-gate-like behaviour, storing information as 'quDits' within the protein's dipole state. This system seemingly enables a cellular form of decision-making, where the network automatically selects the most efficient pathways for information transport in response to external stimuli. To confirm these theories, the authors suggest validating experiments using Rabi-splitting spectroscopy to detect quantum signatures in biomatter.