CHIROLE · The quantum role of chirality in biology by all-optical experiments.

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.