title: The electron's spin and molecular chirality - how are they related and how do they affect life processes?
abstract: The recently discovered chiral induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect gives rise to a spin selective electron transmission through biomolecules. Here we review the mechanism behind the CISS effect and its implication for processes in Biology. Specifically, three processes are discussed: long-range electron transfer, spin effects on the oxidation of water, and enantioselectivity in bio-recognition events. These phenomena imply that chirality and spin may play several important roles in biology, which have not been considered so far.
authors.affiliation: Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Michaeli
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Physics, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot 76100, Israel. ron.naaman@weizmann.ac.il.
authors.forename: Nirit
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kantor-Uriel
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Physics, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot 76100, Israel. ron.naaman@weizmann.ac.il.
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Naaman
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA.
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Waldeck
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001669:Biochemical Phenomena; D004579:Electron Transport; D004583:Electrons; D006801:Humans; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D011789:Quantum Theory; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D014867:Water