Quantum Biology: a novel approach to understanding some of biology’s greatest mysteries
In 1944, Erwin Schrödinger asked the question, “What is life?” In his book of the same title, Schrödinger posited that the very quantum principles that direct the behaviors of objects at the level of the universe, such as quantum entanglement, superposition, and electron tunneling, also apply within the physical boundaries of living organisms. Historically, quantum phenomena were thought to exist only at temperatures approaching absolute zero. However, accumulating evidence over the past two decades indicates that the quantum world persists within the warm and wet environment of living tissues. For instance, quantum tunneling has been proposed to be involved in enzymatic reactions, olfaction, and DNA mutations; quantum coherence in photosynthesis; and quantum entanglement in avian migration. And yet, to date, a mechanistic understanding into how quantum phenomena prevail and affect cellular functioning is lacking. Our laboratory is developing organ-on-chip models to interrogate the impact of quantum phenomena on biological processes, including the wound healing cascade. Looking forward, we anticipate that tapping into the quantum realm of life has the potential to direct next generation of advanced medical technologies.
"An acellular biologic scaffold promotes skeletal muscle formation in mice and humans with volumetric muscle loss." Brian M Sicari, J Peter Rubin, Christopher L Dearth, Matthew T Wolf, Fabrisia Ambrosio, Michael Boninger, Neill J Turner, Douglas J Weber, Tyler W Simpson, Aaron Wyse, Elke HP Brown, Jenna L Dziki, Lee E Fisher, Spencer Brown, Stephen F Badylak. Science translational medicine.
"Relationships between transforming growth factor-β1, myostatin, and decorin: implications for skeletal muscle fibrosis." Jinhong Zhu, Yong Li, Wei Shen, Chunping Qiao, Fabrisia Ambrosio, Mitra Lavasani, Masahiro Nozaki, Maria F Branca, Johnny Huard. Journal of Biological Chemistry.
"Skeletal muscle as a regulator of the longevity protein, Klotho." Keith G Avin, Paul M Coen, Wan Huang, Donna B Stolz, Gwendolyn A Sowa, John J Dubé, Bret H Goodpaster, Robert M O'Doherty, Fabrisia Ambrosio. Frontiers in physiology.
"Effect of VEGF on the regenerative capacity of muscle stem cells in dystrophic skeletal muscle." Bridget M Deasy, Joseph M Feduska, Thomas R Payne, Yong Li, Fabrisia Ambrosio, Johnny Huard. Molecular Therapy.
"Improved muscle healing after contusion injury by the inhibitory effect of suramin on myostatin, a negative regulator of muscle growth." Masahiro Nozaki, Yong Li, Jinhong Zhu, Fabrisia Ambrosio, Kenji Uehara, Freddie H Fu, Johnny Huard. The American journal of sports medicine.
"Treatment of burn contractures with allogeneic human dermal fibroblasts improves Vancouver scar scale: A phase I/II trial." Debra A Bourne, Isaac James, Sheri Wang, Jacqueline Bliley, Tara Grahovac, Ryan TM Mitchell, Spencer A Brown, Fabrisia Ambrosio, Jonhan Ho, Bernd Lannau, Paul D Kemp, Jeffrey Gusenoff, J Peter Rubin. Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery.
"Extracellular Vesicle Concentration But Not Size Differs Between Men And Women During Military Operational Stress: 1135." William R Conkright, Meaghan E Beckner, Amrita Sahu, Zachary J Clemens, Mita Lovalekar, Qi Mi, Brian J Martin, Shawn D Flanagan, Fabrisia Ambrosio, Bradley C Nindl. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
"The biphasic and age-dependent impact of klotho on hallmarks of aging and skeletal muscle function." Zachary Clemens, Sruthi Sivakumar, Abish Pius, Amrita Sahu, Sunita Shinde, Hikaru Mamiya, Nathaniel Luketich, Jian Cui, Purushottam Dixit, Joerg D Hoeck, Sebastian Kreuz, Michael Franti, Aaron Barchowsky, Fabrisia Ambrosio. Elife.
"Integrated approach of meta-analysis and bioinformatics towards elucidating disease mechanisms associated with age-related knee osteoarthritis." H Iijima, G Gilmer, K Wang, S Sivakumar, Y Matsui, F Ambrosio. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage.
"Age-related increase in matrix stiffness downregulates α-klotho in cartilage and induces cartilage degeneration." H Iijima, G Gilmer, K Wang, A Bean, F Ambrosio. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage.