Molecular Insights into Quantum Biology
A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biophysics: Structure, Dynamics, and Function".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 34
Special Issue Editor
Interests: magnetoreception; quantum biology; spin dynamics; oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation; physical chemistry; electron-transfer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The field of quantum biology posits that quantum effects are not merely present but may play a functional role in living systems, extending beyond what can be explained by classical mechanisms alone. Although this proposition remains in many respects a working hypothesis, its potential is inspiring—both for revolutionizing our understanding of life and our own nature, and for enabling transformative applications in quantum technologies, such as quantum computing and quantum sensing.
Improved experimental techniques, a deeper understanding of the underlying phenomena, and new discoveries (such as the realization that noisy biological environments may actually enhance quantum effects) are bringing us closer than ever to the core of quantum biology. This momentum provides a timely opportunity to explore the molecular foundations of quantum effects in biology with greater focus and clarity.
The main scope of this Special Issue is to dissect and decipher the molecular building blocks of putative quantum biology, enabling a reductionist view that lays bare the functional enablers of quantum effects in living systems. At the same time, we welcome contributions that challenge or expand this approach, whether by highlighting the necessity of holistic models incorporating complex biological environments or by offering conceptual and speculative perspectives that push the boundaries of how we think about quantum biology.
We invite theoretical, experimental, and visionary contributions that bridge the gap between quantum mechanics and the life sciences. Research areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following: biological qubits and quantum information processing; quantum sensing in biological systems; long-lived quantum coherences and entanglement; magnetoreception and navigation; quantum cognition and neural processes; photosynthetic light harvesting and excitonic transport; long-range electrodynamic interactions; collective excitations and superradiance; quantum perspectives on anesthesia; spectroscopic approaches for probing quantum biology; environmental interactions that sustain or enhance quantum effects.
Original research articles, reviews, and speculative/visionary contributions are welcome. Through this Special Issue, we aim to advance a molecular-level understanding of quantum biology, assess its broader implications, and foster a dialog across disciplines.
We look forward to your contributions and to exploring this exciting frontier together.
Dr. Daniel R. Kattnig
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomolecules is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- quantum biology
- molecular mechanisms
- quantum coherence
- quantum entanglement
- magnetoreception
- quantum cognition
- photosynthetic energy transfer
- biological qubits
- quantum sensing
- environment-assisted quantum effects
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