Groundbreaking Molecular Finding Allows for Guided Electron Movement, Enhancing Pharmaceutical Safety

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists at ETH Zurich have shown that the 'handedness' of molecules is not just a structural feature but also has an electronic component. This breakthrough, published in the prestigious journal Nature, could change how scientists study and control molecular processes at the electronic level.

The research, led by Prof. Ferenc Krausz and Prof. Hans Jakob Wörner, used an electron "flash camera" to deliver circularly polarized attosecond pulses. This one-of-a-kind device allowed the team to measure and manipulate the different movements of electrons in mirror-image molecules.

Until now, chirality, or the handedness of molecules, has mostly been considered a static property. However, the new discovery reveals that chirality is a dynamic electronic phenomenon.

The team used ultra-fast flashes of circularly polarized light to observe how electrons are emitted differently depending on the chirality of the molecule and the rotation of the circularly polarized light. Electrons were emitted either along the direction of the incoming beam or in the opposite direction, a feat that marks a significant milestone in the field.

The potential applications of this discovery are far-reaching. It could pave the way for ultra-fast electron measurements for identifying the handedness of drug molecules with greater sensitivity, leading to safer and more effective medicines. The breakthrough also has implications for drug design, molecular electronics, and advanced sensing technologies.

Moreover, the discovery could revolutionise fields such as spintronics, molecular machines, and biosensors, where controlling electron behaviour is key.

Neetika Walter, the author of the article published by The Blueprint, has over a decade-long career in journalism, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector. In this article, she highlights the significance of this discovery and its potential impact on various industries.

The team's research on chiral electron dynamics with attosecond light pulses and its publication open new possibilities for studying and controlling molecular processes at the electronic level. This could be a significant step forward in our understanding and manipulation of molecular processes, with far-reaching implications for various industries.

Groundbreaking Molecular Finding Allows for Guided Electron Movement, Enhancing Pharmaceutical Safety