Indication of Quantum Mechanical Electron Transport in Human Substantia Nigra Tissue From Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy Analysis.  Chris Rourk (Dallas, TX )   C8

Electron transport across a 40 micron length of a disordered array of ferritin has been demonstrated in an electronic device. [1] In addition, neuromelanin and ferritin in dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) have a distribution and density that is similar to disordered arrays of pi-conjugated polymers and quantum dots in photovoltaic devices, which have been experimentally shown to conduct electric energy at room temperature using quantum mechanical electron transport mechanisms. [2] An overview of these devices will be provided, as well as a discussion of how such electron transport could assist with the generation of action potentials in SNc neurons. Results from conductive atomic force microscopy tests that were performed on human SNc tissue at room temperature will then be reviewed. These test results appear to provide evidence of quantum mechanical electron transport from ferritin and neuromelanin at levels that may be sufficient to cause or contribute to generation of action potentials. [3] References: [1] S. Bera, J. Kolay, P. Pramanik, A. Bhattacharyyab, R. Mukhopadhyay, Long-range solid-state electron transport through ferritin multilayers. J. Mater. Chem. C, 2019,7, 9038-9048 [2] C. Rourk, Ferritin and neuromelanin 'quantum dot' array structures in dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta and norepinephrine neurons of the locus coeruleus. Biosystems. 2018 Sep;171:48-58. [3] C. Rourk, Indication of quantum mechanical electron transport in human substantia nigra tissue from conductive atomic force microscopy analysis. Biosystems. 2019 May;179:30-38.