Danko D. Georgiev — Page 2

arXiv2018

On the quantum dynamics of Davydov solitons in protein $α$-helices

The transport of energy inside protein $α$-helices is studied by deriving a system of quantum equations of motion from the Davydov Hamiltonian with the use of the Schrödinger equation and the generalized Ehrenfest theorem. Numerically solving the system of quantum equations of motion for different initial distributions of the amide I energy over the peptide groups confirmed the generation of both moving or stationary Davydov solitons. In this simulation the soliton generation, propagation, and stability were found to be dependent on the symmetry of the exciton-phonon interaction Hamiltonian and the initial site of application of the exciton energy.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2006

The beta-neurexin/neuroligin-1 interneuronal intrasynaptic adhesion is essential for quantum brain dynamics

There are many blank areas in understanding the brain dynamics and especially how it gives rise to consciousness. Quantum mechanics is believed to be capable of explaining the enigma of conscious experience, however till now there is not good enough model considering both the data from clinical neurology and having some explanatory power. In this paper is presented a novel model in defence of macroscopic quantum events within and between neural cells. The synaptic beta-neurexin/neuroligin-1 adhesive protein complex is claimed to be not just the core of the excitatory glutamatergic CNS synapse, instead it is a device mediating entanglement between the cytoskeletons of the cortical neurons. Thus the macroscopic coherent quantum state can extend throughout large brain cortical areas and the subsequent collapse of the wavefunction could affect simultaneously the subneuronal events in millions of neurons. The neuroligin-1/beta-neurexin/synaptotagmin-1 complex also controls the process of exocytosis and provides an interesting and simple mechanism for retrograde signalling during learning-dependent changes in synaptic connectivity. A brief outlook of the molecular machinery driving neuromediator release through exocytosis is provided with particular emphasis on the possibility for vibrationally-assisted tunneling.

quant-ph↗