Entanglement and coherence in pure and doped Posner molecules

The potential role of spin in biological systems is a primary topic in quantum biology. However, much of this research focuses on electron spin. A recent hypothesis suggests that nuclear spin may be better suited to biological processes, being less sensitive to decoherence. The hypothesis details how phosphorus nuclei might be prepared in a spin entangled state, how this entanglement is protected by assembly into calcium phosphate (Posner) molecules, and how this entanglement might modulate calcium ion production and concomitant neural activation. In this paper we investigate the robustness of quantum effects such as coherence and entanglement in Posner molecules. We investigate how these effects are directly dependent on specific parameters such as spin-spin coupling strengths and Posner molecule symmetry. We also investigate how lithium isotope doped Posner molecules differentially modulate quantum resources such as coherence and entanglement and whether this is a viable explanation for lithium's mechanism of action in bipolar disease. Finally we illustrate how entanglement might possibly be preserved through exploitation of the biological environment.

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Publication Details

Journal
Scientific Reports
Published
2025-04-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96487-5
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Mechanical and Optical Resonators
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.25
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article

Entanglement and coherence in pure and doped Posner molecules

Betony Adams, Ilya Sinayskiy, Francesco Petruccione, Shivang Agarwal
1 citations
Scientific Reports
Mechanical and Optical Resonators
1.25
article

Entanglement and coherence in pure and doped Posner molecules

Betony Adams, Ilya Sinayskiy, Francesco Petruccione, Shivang Agarwal
article en
1 citations

Abstract

The potential role of spin in biological systems is a primary topic in quantum biology. However, much of this research focuses on electron spin. A recent hypothesis suggests that nuclear spin may be better suited to biological processes, being less sensitive to decoherence. The hypothesis details how phosphorus nuclei might be prepared in a spin entangled state, how this entanglement is protected by assembly into calcium phosphate (Posner) molecules, and how this entanglement might modulate calcium ion production and concomitant neural activation. In this paper we investigate the robustness of quantum effects such as coherence and entanglement in Posner molecules. We investigate how these effects are directly dependent on specific parameters such as spin-spin coupling strengths and Posner molecule symmetry. We also investigate how lithium isotope doped Posner molecules differentially modulate quantum resources such as coherence and entanglement and whether this is a viable explanation for lithium's mechanism of action in bipolar disease. Finally we illustrate how entanglement might possibly be preserved through exploitation of the biological environment.

Scientific ReportsVol. 15(1)
University of California, Los Angeles (US), Stellenbosch University (ZA), National Institute for Theoretical Physics (ZA), University of KwaZulu-Natal (ZA)
Zero hunger
Openalex Percentile: Top 22%
Mechanical and Optical Resonators
1.25
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