Jim Al-Khalili – Quantum Life: How Physics Can Revolutionise Biology
In this Friday Evening Discourse at the Royal Institution, Professor Jim Al-Khalili explores how the mysteries of quantum theory might be observable at the biological level. Although many examples can be found in the scientific literature dating back half a century, there is still no widespread acceptance that quantum mechanics — that baffling yet powerful theory of the subatomic world — might play an important role in biological processes. Biology is, at its most basic, chemistry, and chemistry is built on the rules of quantum mechanics in the way atoms and molecules behave and fit together. As Jim explains, biologists have until recently been dismissive of counter-intuitive aspects of the theory and feel it to be unnecessary, preferring their traditional ball-and-stick models of the molecular structures of life. Likewise, physicists have been reluctant to venture into the messy and complex world of the living cell – why should they when they can test their theories far more cleanly in the controlled environment of the physics lab? But now, experimental techniques in biology have become so sophisticated that the time is ripe for testing ideas familiar to quantum physicists. Can quantum phenomena in the subatomic world impact the biological level and be present in living cells or processes – from the way proteins fold or genes mutate and the way plants harness light in photosynthesis to the way some birds navigate using the Earth’s magnetic field? All appear to utilise …
Twitchi1003 on January 30, 2013
put that box folder of new “theories” of the web PLEASE!!! the internet needs to know their sweetness 22:00
complexatoms on January 30, 2013
thank you so much for sharing this video – i know these Ri videos don’t get many views, but they are hugely appreciate by some of us even if we are a small minority
TheRoyalInstitution on January 30, 2013
It’s a pleasure! It’s all about extending the reach of our public events outside of the lecture theatre! – We have a short film with Jim on quantum navigation in Robins coming up next, so check back soon!
T2Exile on January 31, 2013
omg this is so sick. Im a bio major but I absolutely LOVE physics. And Ive often wondered how in anyway physics and bio can be incorporated. This vid just broadened my view.
Israel Socratus on January 31, 2013
Long time ago, when the life only began generated
by the chance a molecule had arisen . .
. . we are only descendants of these first molecules . .
. . all living beings on the Earth occurred from one
and the same ancestors on the molecular level
/ Book: The Character of Physical Law
Lecture 4. Feynman /
And somebody said if we give to the simplest molecule
hydrogen enough time – it will become a man
( maybe according to the law of evolution )
10mintwo on January 31, 2013
A little “all over the place”, but still enjoyable.
pchamney on January 31, 2013
Thanks so much to Professor Al-Khalili and the Ri for this. I’m a layperson with a very limited science background, and very much appreciate accessible presentations like this one!.
pchamney on January 31, 2013
“All over the place” seems appropriate for a discussion of quantum mechanics, lol.
TheRoyalInstitution on January 31, 2013
Fantastic, it will be interesting to see how the field of quantum biology develops.
TheRoyalInstitution on January 31, 2013
Glad you found it useful! Have you watched our previous Sean Carroll event on particle physics? watch?v=RwdY7Eqyguo
pchamney on January 31, 2013
I’ll make a it a point to see it!
Tossphate on January 31, 2013
I really wanted to attend this lecture- thanks for sharing!!!
(please dont sell the building)
Gary Croxford on January 31, 2013
It’s great to be able to see these presentations online – I would so love to get into London to see them live but because they are held generally Mon-Fri, because of work/life commitments I can’t get there in the flesh!
Excellent presentation though and well done for posting them in glorious hi-res for Youtube to enjoy. Thanks Ri!
amytheorangutan on January 31, 2013
I enjoyed this lecture very much
Is the Q&A session going to be uploaded as well? I want to see the adorable young gentleman ask the clever question again
TheRoyalInstitution on January 31, 2013
It was good wasn’t it! As it was only a short Q&A and we’ve been really busy this month, we’ve had to prioritise other films! If we can find the time to get it up we will!
Thanks for watching!
TheRoyalInstitution on January 31, 2013
No problem and thanks for watching! – Everything looks a lot nicer in HD doesn’t it? Especially if you’re watching these through your TV.
Lengry on February 1, 2013
I would say he is hyping it a little too much for crowd, doesn’t really explain that “when we observe” doesn’t mean it mysteriously takes a human being to make quantum effects to work obviously, more about how systems interact. Otherwise it’s perfectly legit lecture.
mentalvasectomy on February 1, 2013
Oh, I enjoyed that very much! Thank you!
scotty on February 2, 2013
Great.
nickharvey7 on February 2, 2013
This is an invitation to see an artist theory on the physics of light & time.
Based on just two postulates:
1. The quantum wave particle function Ψ or probability function represents the forward passage of time itself with the future unfolding photon by photon.
2. Is that Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle ∆×∆p×≥h/4π that is formed by the w-function is the same uncertainty we have with any future event within our own ref-frame that we can interact with turning the possible into the actual!
VellianoRosso on February 2, 2013
To pose the question – if biology and quantum mechanics are related is almost an insulting question to Nature. I applaud Jim and TRI in this venture of removing the stigma this subject has. If anyone can make an energy transfer non-Quantum Mechanically you should let the Nobel Society know posthaste \o/.
roughsexytime99 on February 6, 2013
i like it – BUT! – ?
could explain 2 u why on the 2 slit experiment, less who gets the Nobel then me or You or Utube or Google?
the cat in the box has 9 lives so thats WRONG!
“nothing can travel faster then light!” ? yes it can:) outside “strong” gravitational fields matter behaves -lets just say differently – degrading into light when one is encountered
puts a spin on that whole in the wall red shift age of universe idea:)
sorry bud -
roughsexytime99 on February 6, 2013
i watch this cause im bored – and for laughs:)