August 1, 2023 ─ Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) researchers have discovered that molecules in biological processes are affected by nuclear spin, a quantum magnetic property. This finding could advance nuclear magnetic resonance technology (NMR) and quantum biology.
While scientists already know nuclear spin affects small particles like electrons, the research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) indicates that certain isotopes also behave differently due to their nuclear spin.
Nuclear spin is related to an atomic nucleus’ sensitivity to the effects of external magnetic fields. Nuclear spins interact with a surrounding electrical environment and electron spins interact with a surrounding nuclear spin environment. These interactions lead to a small shift and/or splitting of energy levels.
“Our research demonstrates that nuclear spin plays a crucial role in biological processes, suggesting that its manipulation could lead to groundbreaking applications in biotechnology and quantum biology,” according to Prof. Yossi Paltiel, lead researcher and Hebrew University Department of Applied Physics Chair, Faculty of Science. “This could potentially revolutionize isotopic fractionation processes and unlock new possibilities in fields such as NMR.”
Researchers conducted experiments with an aqueous (water) solution, using three different oxygen isotopes with varied spin rates, to determine if spin affects larger particles ─ including ions and molecules, which supply the base for biological transport. Their results showed that spin influences how water behaves in cells, entering at different speeds and reacting uniquely with chiral molecules (a type of molecule that has a non-superposable mirror image). While the atoms and bonds of a chiral molecule’s mirror image are identical to it, its chemical properties differ.
The study, led by the Hebrew University Department of Applied Physics, was a collaborative effort with scientists from various institutions, including the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Institute of Science and Technology Austria.
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