Project description
Investigating how spin-selective quantum effects affect DNA
Over the past two decades, research has established that chiral molecules (molecules that can’t be superimposed on their mirror image) can selectively influence electron spin, a quantum effect called chiral induced spin selectivity (CISS). This might explain important biological processes, such as why life favours one molecular ‘hand’ over the other. However, most studies on CISS have been conducted in conditions unsuitable for living systems. The ERC-funded CHIROLE project aims to study CISS in environments compatible with life. Researchers will investigate how CISS affects biomolecular interactions, explore its connection to DNA vibrations and develop ways to control it with light. The proposed research could help reveal how quantum physics influences biological functions such as DNA regulation.
Objective
In the past two decades, extensive research has established that electronic transport through chiral molecules is spin selective. This phenomenon is known as chiral induced spin selectivity (CISS).
While a fundamental comprehension of CISS remains elusive, compelling evidence demonstrates that it affects the interaction among chiral molecules through a spin-dependent contribution. As a consequence, its implication in the origin of biological homochirality has been suggested. CISS is an inherently quantum effect that can play a role in various biochemical processes, crucial for biological functions. However, prior investigations of CISS have taken place under conditions incompatible with life, largely preventing to explore its quantum biology implications.
With CHIROLE, I propose a radical shift in the state-of-the-art experimental approach. I aim at investigating CISS by harnessing light as a tool to foster our comprehension of CISS and gain external control on its biological consequences.
My objectives are as follows:
A) Probing the impact of CISS on biomolecular interactions occurring in physiological environments, by advanced optical spectroscopies and tailored magneto-plasmonic nanosensors.
B) Investigating the role of phonons in CISS by nonlinear optics, triggering coherent vibrations in DNA and probing the induced modulation of CISS by integrated spectroscopies.
C) Based on the investigations above, establishing biocompatible methods to dynamically tune the CISS strength with light, by modulating its determining conditions.
The breakthrough of CHIROLE will consist in the shift of the investigation to a fully biocompatible platform, and in the proposed use of light as external knob to control CISS biological implications, with a focus on DNA, and epigenetic regulation as final target.
By linking quantum physics with the biological functions, CHIROLE holds the promise of advancing our understanding of the role of chirality in a quantum biology frame.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences physical sciences atomic physics
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) ERC-2024-STG
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00185 Roma
Italy
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