31 Jan 2015

Jim Al-Khalili and Johnjoe McFadden: quantum biology

From Saturday Morning, 9:10 am on 31 January 2015

Life on the Edge by Jim Al Khalili Johnjoe McFadden book coverJim Al-Khalili is Professor of Physics and Professor of Public Engagement in Science at the University of Surrey, and president of the British Humanists Association.

Johnjoe McFadden is Professor of Molecular Genetics, and Associate Dean (International) at the University of Surrey.

They collaborated on the new book Life on the Edge: The Coming Age of Quantum Biology (Bantam) which discusses the discovery that quantum mechanics provides the spark that ignites life, providing answers to questions such as How do migrating birds know where to go? How do we really smell the scent of a rose? and how do our genes manage to copy themselves with such precision?

Jim Al-Khalili and Johnjoe McFadden guide Kim Hill through some of these ideas.