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Physicality of (quantum) information and biochemical complexity of life

27 November 2019, 14:30-15:30 @ Cibali Hall, Kadir Has University

Abstract: Quantum coherence and correlations (QCCs) are the characteristic traits of quantum information that enforce its entire departure from classical lines of thought. They are interchangeable between different parties, usable catalytically without being consumed, and interconvertible with both work and heat. These abilities make them valuable resources as real as energy for specific information processing and thermodynamic tasks, e.g. for ground-to-satellite quantum teleportation or anomalous heat flow from cold to hot.After providing a brief introduction to these information-theoretical quantities, we will survey the essential biomolecular structures such as water, nucleic acids, proteins and enzyme-substrate complexes. We will then illustrate that QCCs, at least in principle, can be created and exploited by prototypical biomolecules. Finally, we will offer a new route to overcome the difficulties raised by biochemical complexity in the understanding of the physics of life.

Speaker Biography: Onur Pusuluk received two BSc degrees at the Istanbul Technical University (ITU), one from the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and one from the Department of Physics Engineering. All his BSc studies were conducted at the interface of physics and biology with a strong interest in neuro-immunological interactions and evolution of genetic code. He completed his physics PhD at ITU, where he worked as a research assistant and investigated quantum aspects of molecular correlations in nucleotide biochemistry. As a part of this PhD study, he spent one year as a recognised student in the Frontiers of Quantum Physics group at the University of Oxford.

Onur is currently a member of Quantum Enabling System Technologies Team at the Koc University. His postdoctoral research focuses in particular on thermodynamic state transformations of microscopic systems out of equilibrium, role of quantum coherence and correlations in energy transfer, autonomous multipartite entanglement engines, bio-inspired and thermal quantum computing.

Webpage: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Onur_Pusuluk/research

https://quest.ku.edu.tr/team.html

https://epistemturkiye.org/author/onurpusuluk/