#116 Quantum Biology with Professor Jim Al-Khalili

Today I welcome the award-winning science communicator, Professor Jim Al-Khalili to the podcast. Renowned around the world through his writing and broadcasting, he is also a leading academic making fundamental contributions to theoretical nuclear physics and quantum biology as you will hear. He is also host of the long running “Life Scientific” on Radio 4.

Today’s conversation is not just complex, it’s confusing. And you’ll probably gather throughout our chat, I was pretty confused. I do my best to breakdown the science for you as we progress through our conversation, but the validating message that Jim confirms is : “If you’re confused, You understand it!”

We talk aboutJim’s upbringing in Iraq and what led him to physicsThe Quantum vs Classic systemsWhere Quantum physics has a roleLife on the Edge - one of the only books detailing Quantum BiologyWhy Quantum Mechanics is so importantSome weird quantum effects such as entanglement and tunnelingWhy Quantum mechanics has a role in biologyHeredity and how it is possible that replication occurs with so few errorsWhere the boundary between classical and quantum systems existsQuantum mechanics and Photosynthesis Jim’s thoughts on Urban electromagnetic disruptionHuman ConsciousnessAI and humansArtificial General intelligence versus machine learningJim’s latest grant to examine the borders between quantum and the classical world  You can read his book “Life on the Edge”, which is a fantastic historical look at how the quantum world has influenced biology and why it’s important.

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