Understanding how our brain works

How the brain is wired has been understood for a long-time, but how that wiring results in neural activity and cognition remains a mystery. Researchers like Dr. Travis Craddock are using quantum mechanics to gain new insights into the brain and how it works.

Craddock, a Science professor and the Canadian Research Chair in Quantum Neurobiology, bridges the disciplines of biology and physics to map out the physical and molecular processes within the brain.

“A lot of physicists, like me, find biology incredibly fascinating,” Craddock says. “From a physics standpoint it's remarkable how these systems work and how they follow the laws of physics to give rise to a living system. Biology is very complex and so it is challenging to frame all of the interacting parts working together from a physics point of view.”     

When Craddock first started out, he was fascinated by the inner workings of the universe from a physics perspective. He soon realized that his passion extended beyond physics into chemistry, biology, computer science and lab work. “Neurobiology brings it all together, because you need to know your fundamental physics, chemistry and biology of neuroscience in addition to the theory and modelling to put it all together.”  

Craddock says the advantage of using quantum to better understand the complexities of the brain is that physics and the biology complement one another. “There are unique quantum properties that biology seems to be using to give living matter an evolutionary advantage.”  

The goal of Craddock’s Quantum Neurobiology Lab is to better understand the fundamental science behind how the brain works particularly in the context of neuroinflammation and neuroinflammatory diseases. This could lead to treatments for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and new technologies to improve memory or measuring more fine details within the brain. “By gaining insight into the basic science behind how the brain and its neurons work, it provides us with an understanding of what’s unique about living matter compared to non-living matter.”

According to Craddock, he chose to work at the University of Waterloo because of its reputation as an innovator. “Waterloo is primed to expand within the biomedical space because of its strong foundation in physics, biology, quantum and engineering. And I am excited to be a part of that”

In the meantime, he and his team will continue to investigate whether the biology of the brain lends itself to unique quantum properties and principles like super position, tunneling and entanglement and how these may relate to brain function, memory and cognition, or even consciousness.

“The more you answer questions about the brain, you're basically answering, what does it mean to be a human being.”