Quantum tunneling of Davydov solitons
Proteins are the molecular nano-engines that support all biochemical activities essential to life. Functional protein complexes are often clamped in an inactive meta-stable state that can be readily activated by signaling cascades triggering the release of the inhibitory clamp. Protein clamps provide the cell with effective mechanisms for sensing of environmental changes and triggering adaptations that maintain homeostasis. A general physical mechanism behind protein clamping action, however, has not been identified so far.
Davydov solitons in protein α-helices
Proteins sustain life through catalysis of biochemical processes in living organisms. Protein function involves physical work and as such can be performed only at the expense of free energy released by biochemical reactions. Protein dynamics is subject to quantum physical laws because proteins are nanosystems. The quantum transport of energy in proteins, however, is unclear due to challenges for solving the many-body Schrödinger equation.
Quantum histories
Richard Feynman's sum-over-histories formulation of quantum mechanics has been considered to be just a useful calculational tool in which virtual Feynman histories entering into a coherent quantum superposition cannot be individually measured. Sequential weak values inferred by weak measurements, however, allow direct experimental probing of individual virtual Feynman histories thereby revealing the exact nature of quantum interference of the coherently superposed histories.
Semantic networks for enhancement of creativity
Creativity generates novel ideas to solve real-world problems and grants us the power to transform the surrounding world beyond what is currently possible. Creative ideas are not just new and unexpected, but are also successful in providing solutions that are useful, efficient and valuable. The origin of creativity, however, is poorly understood, and semantic measures that could predict the success of generated ideas are currently unknown.