Biophoton

In biophysics and alternative medicine, the term " biophotons " (gr. βίος life, gr φως light ) is used for those photons of a few writers who are part of the ultra-weak photon emission ( UPE) of biological origin. The radiation referred to here differs from the bioluminescence by several orders of magnitude lower their intensity and by their very low quantum yield. The phenomenon is scientifically controversial.

History

In the 1920s, the Russian biologist Alexander Gurwitsch came after experiments with germinating onions to the conclusion that living cells emit a very faint light rays. He called them " mitogenic radiation", due to his assumption that this radiation could trigger cell division (mitosis ). Because of the emerging biochemistry, describes cellular processes as sequences of biochemical signaling pathways, this assumption was not further investigated.

Various experimental evidence for an ultra- weak photon emission from biological systems remained largely unnoticed in the subsequent period. The source of the " dark luminescence ," was, as far as it recognized the existence at all, spontaneous imperfections of cellular metabolism (e.g., oxidation and free-radical reactions) returned. A biological significance has been questioned. Main adversary of Gurwitsch's theses was the biochemist Alexander Dutchman. He and other scientists were of the opinion that the discovery as long as doubtful would remain until the radiation was objectively measured.

1954 gave to the Italian astronomer Colli and Facchini, to have a large area photomultipliers in single photon counting mode found a weak, constant light emission from living plant material. 1967 be stated Metcalf and Quick ends in a review that the research in the UK and the U.S. had been recruited for an intensive, but negative studies. In the following years the was hypothesized that body cells via their electromagnetic radiation are to exchange signals from individual researchers - without going through chemical messengers.

In the 1970s, several researchers pointed again photon radiation from biological tissue by, among others, the German physicist Fritz -Albert Popp. To avoid confusion with the bioluminescence of fireflies, for example, well-known and openly visible, he called the ultraweak biological radiation " emission of biophotons ". Popp surveyed the spectrum of radiation and wavelength was between 200 and 800 nm, with a continuous distribution that is approximately in the range of visible light ( 380-710 nm). However, the measured intensities were only a few to a few hundred quanta per second per square centimeter of surface. Popp suspected that this faint radiation anyway, as with laser light is coherent.

Lie to the hypothesis of consistency so far ahead of theoretical and experimental studies.

Together with a group of scientists, including from foreign public universities and research institutes, explore today Popp and colleagues at the International Institute of Biophysics (IIB ) eV at Neuss not only the properties of the radiation, but go with the inclusion of the external excitation with lasers and other light sources of the so-called " delayed luminescence ," ( "delayed luminescence" ) and related applications by different. Among these scholars is Lev Belousov, a grandson of Alexander Gurwitsch who has a chair of embryology at the Moscow State University.

General is the investigation of weak emitted by living organisms or biological material to electromagnetic radiation part of the field of biophotonics. This term generally describes in today's parlance, the combination of biology and photonics, ie, among others, all types of medical examination and treatment methods and imaging techniques based on optical principles.

Interpretation

All objects, whether biological or not, emit thermal radiation, depending on its temperature. This radiation has been taken into account in the measurements mentioned above and subtracted. Since no special consideration cells include phosphors ( luciferins, etc. ), Not a part of the radiation to the examined classical bioluminescence, which is a multiple intense than the measured " bio photon radiation ."

The weak, on the black-body radiation exceeding emission ( whose intensity in about a candle at 20 km distance equivalent ) may be influenced by the state of the cells. According to the prevailing opinion of the radiation based on the known chemical reactions in the context of the metabolism, such as the burning of nutrients, and the resulting process heat. Subject matter of the controversy is whether photons can form standing waves in cells that interact with the cell organelles to influence metabolic functions. Critics call photons as elementary particles, which can meet any different specific biological functions. The latter appears proponents of the theory of bio-photons rather unlikely, because light has a great effect on the metabolism of cells, particularly in chlorophyll - containing plants. The question of the cause and effect of the Regulations and communication processes in the cells is considered not yet sufficiently clarified.

Application

The group of Popp working on procedures for the application of their teaching in the quality analysis of foods, in the observation of environmental influences, in bio- indication, in the analysis of differences in tissues (for example between healthy and tumor tissues ), in efforts to a deeper understanding of diseases. The group sees its activities as a holistic approach to the explanation of biological phenomena of living systems, in particular the communications and regulatory processes in cells and cell populations - such as growth and differentiation, including physical questions about the understanding of consciousness.

Criticism

The view of some representatives of alternative medicine that this phenomenon plays a physiological role in terms of influence on health has been found among biologists and physiologists hardly consent, but probably. In esoteric and alternative medicine in parts of the There are no clinical studies that provide evidence of effectiveness in terms of health.

Interactions between separated bred cultures of Escherichia coli bacteria cultures throw guesses on which communication is proven by using electromagnetic radiation, much more often this happens but chemically on the quorum sensing.

Physically, the radiation can be detected by highly sensitive photon detectors. Since this measurement only can detect the emitted photons, the conclusion to the prevailing radiation conditions in the cells is not directly possible. Critics of this theory point out that in particular the postulated coherence of the photons was not detectable.

In the hypotheses about the health effects of biophotons critics see an attempt at a revival of vitalism, a concept that had been abandoned in biology and medicine during the 19th century. Instead of the intangible forces of life of the conventional vitalism now will propagate a pseudo-scientific neo-vitalism. This explains on the one hand, the distance of the established biological and medical science claims about bio-photons, on the other, the great interest in some representatives of the alternative medicine.