• Tryptophan-rich proteins in brain cells may function as quantum computing networks, leveraging superradiance for faster information processing.
• These quantum networks could protect cells from damage by absorbing and re-emitting harmful UV photons, potentially slowing degenerative illnesses.
• The discovery suggests that life's information processing capabilities might rival that of all known matter in the observable cosmos, impacting fields from quantum computing to astrobiology.

A groundbreaking study led by Philip Kurian at Howard University has revealed that tryptophan-rich proteins in brain cells and other biological systems may function as quantum computing networks. These networks exhibit superradiance, a phenomenon where tryptophan molecules act together to glow brighter and faster, enabling efficient data storage and transmission. This discovery challenges traditional neuroscience models and opens new avenues for understanding biological information processing, potentially impacting our understanding of degenerative diseases and the search for life on other planets.

• What: Discovery that tryptophan-rich proteins in brain cells and other biological systems may function as quantum computing networks, utilizing superradiance for faster information processing and cellular protection.
• Who: Philip Kurian (Quantum Biology Laboratory at Howard University), Majed Chergui (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), Seth Lloyd (MIT), Nicolò Defenu (ETH Zurich), Dante Lauretta (Arizona Astrobiology Center).
• When: Research findings published in Science Advances. Article published May 6, 2025.
• Where: Research conducted at Howard University and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. Implications extend to understanding life on Earth and the search for life on habitable exoplanets.

The discovery of quantum computing capabilities within brain cells, facilitated by tryptophan-rich proteins and superradiance, represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of biological information processing. This finding challenges traditional neuroscience models that rely on slower chemical signals and suggests that quantum effects play a crucial role in living systems. The potential implications are vast, ranging from novel approaches to treating degenerative diseases to a deeper understanding of life's computational capacity and the search for extraterrestrial life. Further research is needed to fully explore the mechanisms and applications of this quantum phenomenon in biological systems.

This work connects the dots among the great pillars of twentieth century physics—thermodynamics, relativity, and quantum mechanics—for a major paradigm shift.

It took very precise and careful application of standard protein spectroscopy methods, but guided by the theoretical predictions of our collaborators, we were able to confirm a stunning signature of superradiance in a micron-scale biological system.

This photoprotection may prove crucial in slowing or stopping degenerative illnesses. We hope this will inspire a range of new experiments to understand how quantum-enhanced photoprotection plays a role in complex pathologies that thrive on highly oxidative conditions.

It’s good to be reminded that the computation performed by living systems is vastly more powerful than that performed by artificial ones.

The remarkable properties of this signaling and information-processing modality could be a game-changer in the study of habitable exoplanets.

The discovery of quantum computing within brain cells, facilitated by tryptophan-rich proteins, unveils a new dimension of biological information processing. This groundbreaking research suggests that quantum effects play a crucial role in living systems, offering potential for advancements in medicine, quantum computing, and our understanding of life itself. Further investigations are warranted to explore the full extent of this quantum phenomenon and its implications across various scientific disciplines.