Quantum computing?

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JimF
Posts: 652
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2010 2:03 pm

Quantum computing?

Post by JimF »

I wonder whether this type of quantum computer, which is suited for optimization problems, has any applicability to protein folding?
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/2013051 ... -computers

It is very expensive at the moment, but costs could come down rapidly since it relies on IC technology.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22554494
bruce
Posts: 20910
Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:13 pm
Location: So. Cal.

Re: Quantum computing?

Post by bruce »

Probably not.

The human brain does not come pre-programmed but has to learn everything it knows by sorting out all the incoming information and somehow figuring out which things happen frequently and which are sort of exceptions. It needs years of experiences and associates them with happy outcomes and undesireable outcomes before it really knows how to react. The computer, on the other hand, follows a set of pre-programmed steps to reach a conclusion. The the quantum computer, as it is currently described, is planned to include a sort of "artificial intelligence" (aka AI) that learns from experience rather than explicitly following orders.

Scientific analysis of protein folding seeks two entirely different goals. 1) Starting from an unfolded state, what is the most probable fully folded shape? 2) Starting from an unfolded state, are there any less probable fully folded shapes, and how and why would a protein reach one of those shapes rather than the most probable one? Many researchers are seeking to answer question 1. FAH is attempting to answer question 2.

To understand the cause of diseases like Alzheimers which is directly related to one of those less-probable end shapes that's commonly called a "mis-folded protein" FAH want's to know WHY it reached that shape.

I expect that AI computers would be good at answering question 1. To answer question 2, many different trajectories starting from the unfolded state must be computed and the probability of each change in shape observed. The pre-programmed FAH software can trace even the improbable trajectories.

For more information about question 2, see the pictures Jesse_v and more words about the concepts included in this topic.
JimF
Posts: 652
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2010 2:03 pm

Re: Quantum computing?

Post by JimF »

Thanks. That is the most succinct explanation of what FAH is all about that I have seen.
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