Role of quantum chemical calculations in molecular biophysics with a historical perspective

We discuss how the basic principles of quantum chemistry and quantum mechanics can be and have been applied to a variety of problems in molecular biophysics. First, the historical development of quantum concepts in biophysics is discussed. Next, we describe a series of interesting applications of qu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Theoretical chemistry accounts 2010-03, Vol.125 (3-6), p.121-144
Main Authors: Kukushkin, Alexander K., Jalkanen, Karl J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atomic/Molecular Structure and Spectra
Chemistry
Chemistry and Materials Science
Inorganic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Regular Article
Theoretical and Computational Chemistry
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Summary:We discuss how the basic principles of quantum chemistry and quantum mechanics can be and have been applied to a variety of problems in molecular biophysics. First, the historical development of quantum concepts in biophysics is discussed. Next, we describe a series of interesting applications of quantum chemical methods for studying biologically active molecules, molecular structures, and some of the important processes which play a role in living organisms. We discuss the application of quantum chemistry to such processes as energy storage and transformation, and the transmission of genetic information. Quantum chemical approaches are essential to comprehend and understand the molecular nature of these processes. To conclude our work, we present a short discussion of the perspectives of quantum chemical methods in modern biophysics, the field of experimental and theoretical chiral vibrational and electronic spectroscopy.
ISSN:1432-881X
1432-2234
DOI:10.1007/s00214-009-0622-0