Microbial Wave Resonance

Exploring Wave Resonance and Microorganisms: The World of Chemical and Physical Interactions

Introduction

Microorganisms are engaged in a fascinating interplay with various forms of energy, including sound waves, electromagnetic radiation, and electric currents. This intricate dance of wave resonance and microorganisms involves chemical and physical interactions, unveiling a hidden world where microbes communicate, navigate, and even leave behind electromagnetic signatures. The hypothesis that certain electromagnetic (EM) wave frequencies and resonances may interact with and impact microorganisms like bacteria and fungi through quantum mechanical phenomena operating at the microbial scale has recently received attention in research.

Microbes' cell membranes and walls can act as tiny antennae that oscillate or resonate at particular frequencies. This enables something known as vibronic mixing, which is the interaction between the organism's vibrational states and external EM fields. The oscillations (the regular moving back and forth; think of a pendulum) of an applied EM field can become quantum entangled (a theory in physics where two particles are connected no matter how far apart) with the vibrations of charged particles in the cell membranes. This is called vibronic mixing or vibronic coupling. This non-local quantum entanglement created across the membranes of bacterial cells may allow protons and electrons to tunnel (literally creating tunnels in a medium), making energy transfer more efficient during metabolism and cellular respiration. (Evans, 2021)

Charged nanofibrils [a nano-sized material] can vibrate due to thermal motions, variable stresses and potentially due to some metabolic processes and consequently they radiate detectable EM waves. Thus, amyloid nanofibrils potentially play a role as nanoscale antennas capable of emitting and receiving the EM signals replicating some of the metallic and semiconducting assemblies. (N. Barani et al., 2022)

Furthermore, groups of microorganisms communicate using a process termed quorum sensing, which allows them to coordinate gene expression and collective behavior. This involves the emission and detection of signaling molecules that activate genetic pathways once a threshold density is reached. This has been well-studied in bacterial luminescence. The endogenous microbial radiation produced from quorum sensing seems to peak at specific frequencies corresponding to optimal growth conditions for that particular organism. (see previous post, Talking Microbes?)

The resonance interactions between electromagnetic fields applied from the outside and the radiation that microbes produce may explain how small amounts of energy can have an effect on the physiology of microbes through quantum effects. The quantum coherence produced across bacterial clusters could optimize proton tunneling and energy efficiency. “Quantum coherence is the ability of a quantum state to maintain its entanglement and superposition in the face of interactions and the effects of thermalization.”(Konik, 2021)

Further research leveraging quantum biology approaches is needed to understand these mechanisms better. This could be used to electrically boost the growth of certain microbes, change quorum sensing to stop biofilm formation that is unwanted, or change the biochemical pathways of microbes by using quantum coherence and tunneling. The evidence points to intriguing quantum connections between microbes and electromagnetic wave phenomena that warrant deeper investigation.

Chemical Interactions

Microorganisms use quorum sensing, a chemical signaling mechanism, to communicate and coordinate group behavior. It involves the release of signaling molecules, often termed autoinducers. As the population of microbes grows, the concentration of these signaling molecules reaches a critical level. Microbes interact chemically (e.g., quorum sensing) and physically, including with sound waves, electromagnetic radiation, and electric currents (Reguera, 2011). This sets off a chain of events that can include biofilm formation, the production of virulence factors, or gene expression.

Physical Interactions

Recent research has uncovered the role of sound waves in microbial activities. Microorganisms are sensitive to acoustic vibrations, and some studies suggest that sound waves can influence their growth and behavior. For instance, certain frequencies of sound waves may disrupt biofilm formation or alter microbial community structures. (Bhagat et al., 2021) Understanding the impact of sound on microorganisms could have implications for various fields, including medicine and agriculture.

Physical Interactions: Electromagnetic Radiation and Electric Currents

Microorganisms themselves exhibit electromagnetic properties, and their interactions with electromagnetic radiation and electric currents are increasingly under investigation. To learn more about the electromagnetic frequencies that microbes send out through vibrating fibrils, see Barani et al.'s paper A multiphysics modeling of electromagnetic signaling phenomena at kHz–GHz frequencies in bacterial biofilms. (Barani et al., 2021). Certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation have been shown to affect microbial growth and metabolic processes. Natural and anthropogenic electric currents can influence microbial communities in diverse environments, from soil to aquatic ecosystems. Likewise, some EM fields are harmful to microbes. These include ultraviolet (UV) and gamma rays.

Electromagnetic Signatures

Tracing Microbial Activity Researchers are exploring the possibility that microorganisms may leave behind electromagnetic signatures due to their activities. This intriguing concept involves detecting and analyzing the electromagnetic fields generated by microbial communities. Such signatures could provide insights into microbial processes, spatial distribution, and ecological dynamics. However, further research is needed to fully understand and harness this potential tool for studying microorganisms.

Vibronic Mixing

Vibronic mixing is a phenomenon at the intersection of chemistry and quantum mechanics, bridging chemistry and quantum mechanics. It involves the coupling of electronic and vibrational motion in molecules. Understanding vibronic mixing is crucial to elucidating the quantum dynamics of chemical reactions. This concept has broad implications for our comprehension of microbial biochemistry, as it can shed light on the quantum nature of molecular processes occurring within microorganisms.

Quantum Phenomena in the Microbial World

Quantum entanglement and tunneling are quantum phenomena that challenge classical notions of physics. While primarily studied in the realm of quantum mechanics, recent investigations suggest that these phenomena may play a role in microbial processes. Quantum entanglement could potentially be involved in long-range communication between microorganisms, most likely in the slimy matrix of biofilm. In contrast, quantum tunneling may influence the efficiency of certain biochemical reactions within microbial cells. (Evans, 2021, Higgins et al., 2021)

Pioneers in Quantum Biology

Several scientists have contributed significantly to the field of quantum biology, unraveling the quantum aspects of biological processes. Notable figures include physicist Erwin Schrödinger, who introduced the idea of "life as a quantum phenomenon" in his famous book "What is Life?" Additionally, researchers like Graham Fleming and Elisabetta Collini have made groundbreaking contributions to understanding quantum effects in photosynthesis, providing a foundation for exploring quantum phenomena in other biological systems, including microorganisms.

Conclusion

The intersection of wave resonance and microorganisms is a captivating frontier that combines chemistry, physics, and quantum mechanics. As our understanding of microbial interactions with various forms of energy deepens, we unlock the potential to manipulate and harness these processes for applications ranging from environmental remediation to healthcare. The exploration of vibronic mixing, quantum entanglement, and tunneling in the microbial world not only expands our knowledge of fundamental biological processes but also opens doors to innovative technologies and therapies inspired by the invisible dance of microorganisms.

References

Arsenault, E.A., Yoneda, Y., Iwai, M., et al. Vibronic mixing enables ultrafast energy flow in light-harvesting complex II. Nat Commun 11, 1460 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-14970-1

Barani, N., Sarabandi, K., Kotov, N. A., Vanepps, J. S., Elvati, P., Wang, Y., & Violi, A. (2022). A multiphysics modeling of electromagnetic signaling phenomena at kHz-GHz frequencies in bacterial biofilms. IEEE Access, 10, 39344-39361. doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3165028. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9749281

Bhagat, M. S., Mungray, A. K., & Mungray, A. A. (2021). Effect of sound waves and inclination of membrane on the performance of the osmotic microbial fuel cell. Water-Energy Nexus, 4, 113-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wen.2021.07.003

Evans, S. (2021). Photosynthetic bacteria adapt to environment by using quantum mechanics to steer energy. https://news.uchicago.edu/story/bacteria-know-how-exploit-quantum-mechanics-uchicago-study-finds

• Higgins, J. S., Lloyd, L. T., Sohail, S. H., Allodi, M. A., Otto, J. P., Saer, R. G., Wood, R. E., Massey, S. C., Ting, P., Blankenship, R. E., & Engel, G. S. (2021). Photosynthesis tunes quantum-mechanical mixing of electronic and vibrational states to steer exciton energy transfer. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(11), e2018240118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2018240118

Hanrahan, Kieran. (2018). The Proton Phenomenon: Prof. Miriam Bowring investigates ways to liberate hydrogen from its bonds. Reed Magazine. https://www.reed.edu/reed-magazine/articles/2018/bowring-proton.html

Konik, R. (2021). Quantum Coherence Confined. Nature Physics, 17(6), 669-670. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-021-01211-5

Reguera, G. When microbial conversations get physical. Trends in Microbiology. Opinion. Volume 19, ISSUE 3, P105-113, March 2011. Published 31 January 2011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2010.12.007