Quantum Mechanics of Biological Systems

Quantum Mechanics of Biological Systems is a growing field of biology in which quantum mechanics principles are utilised to address key biological processes. This field not only reveals underlying mechanisms active in molecular biology but also helps us translate the information to applied medical research, aiming at the discovery of means to deal with the molecular-level origins of various pathologies. Beginning with a brief history of quantum biology, this book explores some of the ways in which quantum mechanics methods have made huge breakthroughs in addressing the molecular basis of diseases and drug discovery. Included in this book are chapters on the role of neutron scattering in protein energy landscapes, modelling of photosynthetic spectra, quantum processes of life and quantum and tempus theories of food science. Also discussed is the quantum mechanical understanding of genetic correlation and evolution. A history of the development of quantum biology is provided too. This book will appeal to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as academics working in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Mathematics, Oncology, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacology and Biology.

Key Features:

• Explores the growing and exciting new interdisciplinary field of QMBS
• Contains chapter contributions from world-leading experts
• Discusses the impact of quantum mechanics methods in biomedical research

See the support materials tab for book errata.

Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman, D.Sc., a biophysicist and condensed matter scientist, is passionate about investigating biological and biochemical processes utilizing principles and techniques of physics. His theoretical and experimental works have created a generalized template to address the membrane and protein interactions of cell-targeted agents, including drugs and nanoparticles. He has generalized the screened Coulomb interaction method to apply in biological systems and has developed a set of techniques (patented) to help design novel drug molecules, including especially aptamers, validate the drugs’ biological target binding potency, and help address the drug efficacy against specific diseases. His outstanding impact in biomedical sciences has ensured creating a new dimension in drug discovery using physics techniques. Before joining (current affiliation) the King Saud University’s Biochemistry Department of College of Science, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he held academic ranks at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Neuchatel University (Switzerland), Helsinki University of Technology (Finland), Cornell University (United States), and Alberta University (Canada). Between 2013 and 2018 Prof. Ashrafuzzaman worked at the departments of Oncology and Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta (Canada) as a Visiting Professor. He is the co-founder of MDT Canada Inc., and the founder of Child Life Development Institute, Edmonton, Canada. Besides publishing many peer-reviewed articles and 3 US patents, he is currently serving on editorial boards of several highly reputed journals. He has already authored several textbooks, such as Introduction to Modern Biophysics, Biophysics and Nanotechnology of Ion Channels, Nanoscale Biophysics of the Cell, and Membrane Biophysics, including and a few in progress. Prof. Ashrafuzzaman obtained Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) from University of Neuchatel, Switzerland in 2004 following his graduation (B.Sc. and M.Sc.) from Dhaka University, Bangladesh.

Jack A. Tuszynski holds the position of professore ordinario (Full Professor) in biomedical engineering at the Politecnico di Torinoin Turin, Italy. Between 2005 and 2020 he served as the inaugural Allard Chair and Professor in Experimental Oncology at the Cross Cancer Institute and since 1988 has been a professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. He was also a Fellow of the National Institute for Nanotechnology of Canada. He held visiting professorship in China, Germany, France, Israel, Denmark, Belgium, Poland and Switzerland. Jack Tuszynski heads a multi-disciplinary team focused on the rational drug design for oncology, neurology, and immunology applications using computational biophysics and bioengineering methods. His group is also developing physiologically-based models and simulations for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic applications. More recently, he has been involved in the studies of electromagnetic interaction with biological systems developing novel non-pharmacological therapies in collaboration with several companies in Canada, US and Switzerland. He has published over 600 journal papers, and 12 books. He obtained 7 patents in the USA, Canada, EU, South Korea, Brazil, Japan and Singapore. He received over 100 research grants from Canadian, US and European funding agencies. He is on the editorial board of 30 international journals. He was a founding member of 3 spin-off companies.