On (Schr\"oedinger's) quest for new physics for life
Alfredo Iorio
TL;DR
This paper reviews recent quantum studies on DNA and virus capsids, explores the potential of scars to explain HIV data, and advocates for new physics to develop a rigorous theory of biological phenomena.
Contribution
It introduces the idea that new physics may be necessary to accurately model complex biological systems, inspired by recent quantum biological research and Schroedinger's vision.
Findings
Quantum effects observed in DNA aggregates
Scars formation on virus capsids as a structural feature
Potential explanation of HIV cryotomography data by scars
Abstract
Two recent investigations are reviewed: quantum effects for DNA aggregates and scars formation on virus capsids. The possibility that scars could explain certain data recently obtained by Sundquist's group in electron cryotomography of immature HIV-1 virions is also briefly addressed. Furthermore, a bottom-up reflection is presented on the need to invent new physics to pave the way to a rigorous physical theory of biological phenomena. Our experience in the two researches presented here and our personal interpretation of Schroedinger's vision are behind the latter request.
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