A new theoretical model suggests that quantum entanglement helps prevent the molecules of life from breaking apart.

We consider a chain of harmonic oscillators with dipole-dipole interaction between nearest neighbours resulting in a van der Waals type bonding. The binding energies between entangled and classically correlated states are compared. We apply our model to DNA. By comparing our model with numerical simulations [1] we conclude that entanglement may play a crucial role in explaining the stability of the DNA double helix.

To read the rest of the article, click here.