The radical-pair mechanism as a paradigm for the emerging science of quantum biology

TL;DR

The paper reviews how the radical-pair mechanism, initially a chemical phenomenon, has become a central paradigm in quantum biology, linking spin chemistry, avian navigation, and photosynthesis with quantum information science.

Contribution

It presents the radical-pair mechanism as a unifying framework for understanding quantum effects in biological systems, emphasizing its role in the emerging field of quantum biology.

Findings

Radical-pair mechanism explains biological magnetic sensing.

Quantum information tools are applicable to biological processes.

The mechanism is fundamental to quantum biology's development.

Abstract

The radical-pair mechanism was introduced in the 1960's to explain anomalously large EPR and NMR signals in chemical reactions of organic molecules. It has evolved to the cornerstone of spin chemistry, the study of the effect electron and nuclear spins have on chemical reactions, with the avian magnetic compass mechanism and the photosynthetic reaction center dynamics being prominent biophysical manifestations of such effects. In recent years the radical-pair mechanism was shown to be an ideal biological system where the conceptual tools of quantum information science can be fruitfully applied. We will here review recent work making the case that the radical-pair mechanism is indeed a major driving force of the emerging field of quantum biology.