If the ELS had quantum brainwaves, the whole point behind assimilation would be naught. They just need to contact humans with brainwaves, and ta-da, done.
Because they had none, but they could sense it, and didn't know what it entailed, they assimilated to understand.
GN particles linking their cells together. I haven't heard that something similar to photons could do that..
Even if they do have extraordinary properties (Innovation, healing the minds etc.), those are "contactless" exposures.