1. An Academic program in Quantum Biology
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2. Concept and Need for given area
The global market is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary; therefore,
interdisciplinary education has become a necessity in solving the increasingly
complex problems to be faced by the next generation of scientists and engineers. A
considerable demand exists for such professionals in research and industries who can
synthesize more than one discipline and create teams of academicians and scholars
that enrich the overall educational and research experience.
In the same spirit, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Rajasthan at Jodhpur is also
committed to the development of state of the art, research-led, multidisciplinary
centres of excellence. Scholars from diverse disciplines engage in a spectrum of
research based activities ranging from scientific to social issues that challenge
contemporary society. We at IIT Rajasthan believe that the need of the hour is to
establish a consilience between diverse academic spaces. A premier technological
institute, IIT Rajasthan provides us with immense opportunities to witness and
evaluate the interaction, transformation and integration that occur between
technology, society and humanities We believe that an academic program in Quantum
Biology bears testimony to this synthesis which is also the vision of IIT Rajasthan.
Why do we need a program in Quantum Biology- As the name suggests, quantum
biology is the application of quantum mechanics to the biological sciences. A
scientific response to the big question—―What is life?‖—may remain elusive for
some time, but research in the quickly emerging area of ―quantum biology‖ offers
intriguing possibilities. The regimes of applicability of quantum mechanics and
biology have started intersecting-developments in experimental spectroscopy have for
the first time revealed quantum effects in biological systems.
From quantum tunnelling, entanglement to photosynthesis, quantum mechanics
allows and explains phenomena that would be impossible to achieve in a classical
realm. The need of the hour is to address the challenges, for example, how quantum
mechanics, which were thought to exist only in lab settings or near absolute zero
temperature, can describe events under warm and wet conditions such as in biological
systems. In fact, Prof. G. S. Engel (group leader; Berkeley) conclusively demonstrated
that room-temperature quantum computing is possible. Recent evidences of quantum
tunnelling, quantum coherence and entanglement in processes such as DNA mutation
and photosynthesis show that quantum phenomena indeed play a vital role in
biological processes. This motivates us to explore the question whether quantum
mechanics is driving some of the most elegant and inexplicable processes of life!
A program in quantum biology would eliminate the existing boundaries between
different academic and research domains. This program would address some of the
fundamental and unexplained phenomena in biological systems:
 Is there any existing relation between quantum physics and origin of life?
 The possible reasons behind the efficiency of photosynthesis?
 The role of quantum computing and information processing in biological
processes?
 Quantum Consciousness.

3.  Role of DNA in storing information.
 Role of quantum physics to medicine and pharmaceuticals.
 Artificial photosynthetic systems and production of bio-fuels.
 Quantum Mechanics, decoherence in biological systems and applications to
quantum computing.
There can be many such possibilities that can only be addressed through an
interdisciplinary academic and research program.
Mission and Vision
The Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur (IITJ) was established in year 2008. IIT
Jodhpur commenced as a fledgling institute with three branches in the undergraduate
program viz. Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.
Today it has evolved into an IIT which chooses to look beyond conventional
paradigms. The vision of IIT Rajasthan is to create 21st
century thinkers having
potential knowledge in natural sciences, mathematics, engineering and an exposure to
its relevance in social contexts. IIT Rajasthan believes that quality and creativity
oriented multidisciplinary education will eliminate the existing boundaries between
diverse academic domains. As a testimony to this belief IIT Jodhpur has already
started a graduate program in Systems Science and will start another graduate
(postgraduate) program in Bio Inspired Systems Science from July 2013. The existing
centers of excellence in Systems Science, Information and Communication
Technology and Energy also offer post graduate and PhD programs for scholars
coming from different scientific and engineering arenas. The blueprints for new
programs, such as Solar Energy, Water, Art, Culture and Heritage are in the process
of being drawn up. Special emphasis is given to design, system integration and
innovation, so as to provide low-cost solutions to local problems.
Thus, one of the focuses of IIT Rajasthan is to promote interdisciplinary academic
curriculum and research. In order to meet the future challenges and to establish a
consilience between diverse academic spaces, IIT Rajasthan plans to start a new
academic program to cultivate, and inspire the young minds of India to excel into the
emerging fields of interdisciplinary arenas. The program aims to integrate the existing
centers of excellence with a new academic program and research in quantum biology.
 to address complex and emerging problems through quality and creativity-
oriented multidisciplinary education and research.
 to create scholars having potential knowledge in science and technology
capable of evolving under core and multidisciplinary environment.
 to develop entrepreneurship skills into the scholars to address the last person’s
socio-economic challenges with low cost solutions.
 to have a sound understanding of how nature exploits quantum coherence and
environmental noise to achieve efficient and robust energy transfer.
 to pave the way for the realization of a new generation of more powerful solar
energy technologies based on quantum phenomena.

4. The three centres of excellence address different aspects of science and engineering
with each unique in its approach, direction and goals. The new academic program in
quantum biology would be an attempt to integrate the three centres of excellence. We
believe that this program will establish a relationship between the existing centres
trough its academic program and research innovations.
Education Plan and its Implementation
In order to meet future challenges and impart knowledge of contemporary issues at
the forefront of quantum biology, IIT-J would like to start an academic and research
program in quantum biology. It is an interdisciplinary area of study that integrates
knowledge from different scientific and engineering arenas. The overall aim of this
program is to produce high-quality interdisciplinary scientists and engineers who are
well prepared for pursuit of further professional degrees or careers in academic and
research institutes and industries.
QBSS
Energy
ICT
BISS

5. Undergraduate 4 years program Course Structure
Colour Code:
Course Names:
PDS: Programming & Data Structure
SID: System Integration and Design (workshop technologies)
ECS: English & Communication skills
EECO: Engineering Economics
EGRA: Engineering Graphics(Computer aided)
DSA: Data Structure and Algorithm
PSP: Probability and Stochastic Processes
IT: Information Theory
QI: Quantum Information
AQM: Advanced Quantum Mechanics
DFT: Introduction to DFT of atoms and molecules
Cog Sc: Cognitive Science
QEB: Quantum Effects in Biomolecules
QMBP: Quantum Mechanics in biological phenomena
Stat M: Statistical Methods
QC: Quantum Consciousness
DS: Dynamical Systems
LSNS: Large Scale Numerical Simulations
CSB: Computational Systems Biology
Sys P: Systems Psychology
QAP
QB-ELEC
-
OPELEC
LSNS
CSB
QB-ELEC
Stat M
QCBioChem
Cog Sc.
PSP
AQM
SE
IEE
PHY-III
DSA
HSS
In to ELE
PHY-II
Intro. Bio
CHE
EECO
PHY-I
PDS
SID
ECS QEB
DS Sys P
EGRA
Lab CHE
CHEM
Lab - BIO Lab – QB
1
Lab- QB2
LAB -QM
3
Lab- PHY
Lab ELE
Lab EE
OPELEC
Q I
1st
Sem 2nd
Sem 3rd
Sem 4th
Sem 5th
Sem 6th
Sem 7th
Sem 8th
Sem
20 Credits
24 Credits
20 Credits
22 Credits 22 Credits
20 Credits
26 Credits
26 Credits
Common Courses to all UG programs
Quantum Biology Core Courses HSS Electives
Open Electives Quantum Biology Core Courses
IT
DFT
- BTP 1
BTP 2MATH- 1
MATH-2
MATH- 3

6. QAP: Quantum aspects of protein
Postgraduate program Course Structure
Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Semester 4
Mathematics Advanced Quantum
Mechanics
Quantum Effects in
Biomolecules
Project
Introduction to Classical
& Quantum Mechanics
Introduction to DFT Quantum Mechanics in
Biological Phenomena
Numerical Methods Quantum
Information
Quantum Consciousness
Information Theory Bio Chemistry Quantum aspects of
protein
QB Lab I QB Lab II QB Lab III Seminar
Research Plan
Our research would focus on theoretical and experimental investigation of the role
played by quantum mechanics in biological processes, for example, photosynthesis
and bird navigation. This will be achieved through quantum mechanical models of
energy transport in complex biological networks and then establishing the correlation
between theoretical modelling and experimental findings based on spectroscopic
techniques such as laser spectroscopy. This will allow us to have a deeper
understanding of how nature exploits quantum coherence and environmental noise to
get very efficient and robust energy transfer- the way for the realization of a new
generation of more powerful solar energy technologies based on quantum phenomena.

7. The possible research domain will include, but not limited to
 Mutation- Mutation occurs due to proton tunneling, a phenomenon in
quantum mechanics, a detailed theoretical and experimental investigation would
probably explain the phenomena.
 Enzyme Action- theoretical framework to study the enhanced catalytic rates
in enzymes, a phenomena that may be explained by quantum tunnelling.
 Quantum Nano Structures- the living cell is a collection of nanomachines
that approach the quantum limit. Therefore, quantum electrodynamical effects
such as the Casimir effect would be significant in cell membranes. Moreover, the
physics of certain enzymes that crawls along DNA and considered as molecular
motors or rachets is not well established.
 Mathematical Modelling- the evolution of efficient mathematical tools and
theoretical modelling allows one to apply quantum mechanics to biological
systems involving large number of atoms.
 Microtubules- microtubules inside cells permit long-range quantum
coherence, enabling quantum information processing to take place at the sub-
cellular level.
 Quantum networks in biology- the absorption and transportation of energy
are effectively explained by means of networks. For example, Fenna–Matthews–
Olson (FMO) complex are usually understood in terms of the motion of a
quantum particle in a network consisting of seven sites.
 Photosynthesis and light harvesting complexes- the theoretical and
experimental investigation of the role of quantum coherence in photosynthesis. A
detailed understanding of the primary stages of photosynthesis is essential for the
development of artificial photosystems.
 Quantum computing and quantum information- a deeper understanding of
how quantum coherence sustains in biological systems would result in efficient
theoretical modelling of quantum systems with its environment which would
assist coherent energy transfer.
Resources
Some of the required expertise for this academic program is already available under
various Centers of Excellence (CoEs) working in quantum physics, quantum
information, mathematics, biology and energy. However, the proposed academic
program will require experimentalists working in the field of quantum biology,

8. neurologist with exposure in quantum mechanics, bio physicists and bio technologists.
The following resources would be required to run this academic and research
program:
 Faculties in quantum biology and quantum optics- preferably experimental
quantum physicists with sound knowledge in biology and viceversa.
 Library Acquisition
 Equipments
 Space for laboratories and other capital facilities
 Other operating costs
Societal Impact
Science, among all human endeavors, has had undoubtedly a huge impact on society.
The contributions of physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics have significantly
improved human life. Complex interacting molecular systems govern our life
processes. Recent developments in quantum information theory and quantum
computation have provided a new dimension in the study of biology and life sciences.
The function of biomolecules, cellular components and the interaction of living cells
with their environment can now be explored in detail with the help of quantum
mechanics. Today, with the help of modern technology, we are in a position to
measure ―quantum‖ systems in a controlled way and hence quantum effects can
provide huge improvements over existing technologies. New types of quantum
biosensors to understand and manipulate enzymes and other biomolecules are
emerging and therefore new research approaches to biological systems are becoming
possible. This can bring a new revolution the field of energy, medicine and healthcare
etc.
For example, as the light energy is low-cost and essentially inexhaustible; further
development of technologies that make use of solar energy is inevitable. Current
silicon-based technologies for the harvesting of solar energy require a very energy-
intensive production process and even though they have improved significantly over
the years in their efficiency, further development of photosynthesis-based
technologies for energy collection is certainly warranted. Thus, the applications and
potentials shown by light mediated processes compel us to synergise an academic
program, where fundamental concepts will be addressed. Through research,
mimicking photosynthesis to harness solar light energy throughout the solar spectrum
will be attempted by our researchers.
Hence, an institute which integrates holistic development with a global outlook, IIT
Jodhpur showcases a distinctive culture of nurturing young minds with a unique
growing and learning experience.

9. Long terms goals
The long term objective of this program would be to combine and apply advanced
technologies to provide a detailed understanding of the biological processes using
quantum mechanical phenomena. IIT Rajasthan would like to achieve following
milestones through an academic and research program in quantum biology:
 to establish national and international collaborations.
 to establish well equipped quantum biology and quantum information
laboratory.
 postulate theoretical models to explain various biological phenomena.
 to understand quantum mechanical applications in characterizing diseased
information pattern and in healing information patterns.
 to achieve optimal energy transport for potential applications in the
development of better performing solar cells or photosensors.
Placement
 Scholars with such an academic background as discussed in the educational
plan would be in demand for various research and development organizations
in the public and private sectors.
 Quantum Information and Quantum Biology Groups world wide for research
opportunities would provide our scholars ample opportunities to excel in
academics and research.
What we want to achieve through the workshop
This workshop on Quantum Biology will be an attempt to understand the basic
aspects of an existing relation between biological processes and quantum mechanics.
The workshop intends to cover a gamut of themes ranging from artificial photo
systems for achieving optimal energy transport to potential applications for the
development of better performing solar cells or photosensors. At IIT Rajasthan, we
believe that this workshop will not only provide exciting insights in these new areas
of research, but will also provide a platform to initiate this interdisciplinary research
both at the national and international levels. In this juncture, we also urge the invitees
and expertises to share their views in designing a course curriculum with possible
academic and research programs that suits our vision.