By Elizabeth Kleisath
Communications Officer, Advancement
Neuroinflammatory diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, have been identified as one of the most serious health challenges today. According to recent reports from the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada and Parkinson Canada, these diseases affect approximately 700 000 Canadians, costing the economy $11.6 billion annually, and the toll is projected to double by 2050.
Dr. Travis Craddock, who joined the University of Waterloo’s Department of Biology as a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Quantum Neurobiology this past May, aims to find new insights into our scientific understanding and potential treatments of these debilitating diseases. His research explores the causes of neurodegeneration using quantum neurobiology—using concepts from quantum mechanics to address questions in biology that are not yet fully understood.
During the latest installment of Science’s New Faculty Lecture Series, What is Quantum Neurobiology, and how can it help neuroinflammatory illness?, Craddock shared his research goals with alumni, students, faculty, and members of the Waterloo community.
“We want to determine if there are effects in biology that take advantage of quantum properties in non-trivial ways,” said Craddock. While every atom and molecule behaves according to quantum mechanics at the most fundamental level, this does not necessarily mean that the quantum effects are relevant at biological scales. “If we can find instances where this does occur, we can use that knowledge to determine better treatments, design better diagnostics, or gain a better understanding of the way biology works in neurological diseases.”
Craddock is targeting quantum light-matter interactions to determine if they impact the neurons in the brain through excitation energy released as a photon of light. It’s been shown that mitochondria in the neuron generate reactive oxygen species, which can excite protein molecules in the brain. That excitation energy can then be transferred through aromatic amino acids along a structure called a microtubule.
“We currently don’t know where this energy is transferred within the brain. If it’s transferred away from sites required for the protein to act properly, this could be a neuroprotective property. If instead, the energy is transferred to a site that’s important for protein function, the energy could change the shape or damage a key functional aspect of the protein. Through understanding the impacts, we may design ways to either enhance or prevent this energy transfer, using pharmaceuticals, the influence of light properties, or magnetic fields.”
Craddock’s research compliments other Waterloo Science research strengths, which consider neurodegenerative diseases from the cellular level. These collaborations will enrich the Faculty of Science’s leadership and expertise in diagnostic healthcare, driving meaningful discoveries in this field. Craddock’s appointment also aligns with the University of Waterloo’s current ambitions of disruption in healthcare innovation, the newly announced Waterloo Region hospital, and the commitment towards leading solutions to a healthy global future.
The New Faculty Lecture Series, launched in 2020, has featured new faculty members and topics from physics education and solid-state material catalysis to costal erosion and bat migration. Through this series, we highlight the incredible talent, emerging leadership, and newest avenues of scientific discovery within Science.
"I loved hearing about relatable hot topics in science!” said one Science alumni in attendance. “Dr. Craddock was engaging, and his presentation of neurobiology was amazing. More please!"
Craddock’s groundbreaking research in quantum neurobiology points to a future of healthcare innovation filled with exciting possibilities. If you’re interested in learning more, don’t miss our upcoming panel discussion From Bench to Bedside this February, where Dr. Travis Craddock will join Dr. Dale Martin, Dr. Ben Thompson, and Dr. Robin Duncan as they explore the cutting edge research transforming the healthcare sector.