All articles tagged with #biological systems
Scientists at King's College London have developed mathematical equations showing how any sequence of random events can be used to create a clock, which could help explore the quantum nature of the universe and improve understanding of biological timekeeping processes, with implications for understanding diseases and fundamental physics questions.
Harvard's L. Mahadevan explores how mathematics and physics reveal the relationship between form and function in biological systems, from brain folds to termite mounds, emphasizing the interplay of shape, environment, and behavior in complex natural phenomena.
Researchers at Yale University have developed a new tool to estimate the energetic cost of information transfer between cells and molecular components in biological systems. The study confirms the high energy costs associated with this process and suggests that the geometry and physical details of the system play a significant role in determining these costs. The findings could help explain the high cost of information processing observed in experimental studies and provide insights into the design principles of different cell signaling strategies.
A recent paper published in IEEE Transactions on Molecular, Biological and Multi-Scale Communications reviews the evidence of electron tunneling associated with ferritin, a protein involved in iron storage. The study explores the potential role of electron tunneling in various biological systems, including the retina, cochlea, macrophages, glial cells, mitochondria, and magnetosensory systems. The authors hope to raise awareness of this phenomenon and encourage further research into the mechanism of electron tunneling in biological systems that incorporate ferritin.
Quantum biology is an emerging field that explores the influence of quantum effects on biological systems. While quantum effects are typically only observed at very small scales, recent research suggests that they may play a role in regulating enzyme activity, sensing magnetic fields, and other physiological processes. Scientists are working to better understand these effects and develop tools to measure and manipulate them, with the potential to revolutionize medicine and biomanufacturing. The interdisciplinary nature of quantum biology requires collaboration between researchers from diverse fields, and could lead to a whole new way of understanding life processes.
Mathematicians have discovered fundamental molecular-level design principles that explain how molecules interact with each other in adapting to changing conditions while still maintaining tight control over essential properties that are crucial for survival. This universal explanatory framework provides a blueprint for the creation of signaling networks that are capable of adapting across all life forms and for the design of synthetic biological systems. The discovery could provide a fresh approach to tackle personalized medicine challenges such as cancer drug resistance, addiction, and autoimmune diseases.