ULTIMATE COMPUTING - Quantum Consciousness Studies

182 Models of Cytoskeletal Computing
Figure 8.14: “Kink-like” pattern continues left to right through MT automaton.
Such dynamic patterns can represent and compute information, serve as binding
sites for transported molecules, designate MAP and inter MT bridge attachment
sites, or generate coherent waves of calcium coupled sol-gel states.
MT electron surpluses occur due to an abundance of acidic amino acids. With
the intrinsic polarity of each tubulin dimer subunit, MT reside in a strong polar
field or “electret” which possesses piezoelectric properties. Each MT subunit can
thus “integrate,” being capable of absorbing and sensing input in the form of
acoustical energy, optical photons, chemical ATP, altered potential changes,
fluxes of calcium and other ions, and responding with conformational changes
accordingly. Each subunit within a microtubule lattice can not only represent
information, but can input and output information into an ongoing automaton.
Coherent oscillations in MT tubulin subunit states among regional forests of
microtubules can provide a communicative medium in which any subunits which
are out of phase induce waves of phase uncoupling along MT structure.
Alterations which disturb coherency could be amplified by collective oscillations
among cytoskeletal macroassemblies like rotatory centrioles or tensegrity
structures of MT wound by contractile actin filaments.
Several other possible modes of information management present themselves
in the structure of MT. Could the gaps between tubulin subunits act like pores
The relative abundance of electronegative charges in the outer surface of
cylindrical microtubules may create gradients across tubule walls if the MT
interior is neutral or positive. Presently unmeasurable, even a small gradient
across 4 nanometer MT walls would comprise a significant voltage field. Thus a
propagating soliton, charge density wave, or transient osmotic swelling of nerve
processes could open “cracks” among the tubulin subunits to allow for ion flux or
radiation of electromagnetic energy focused and trapped within MT.
Alternatively, an electronegative MT interior core might support Del Giudice’s
suggestion of cytoskeletal superconductivity. Self-focused energy exerting force