Mirror molecules and the energy gap

Massey University’s Professor Peter Schwerdtfeger is aiming to solve one of the fundamental scientific puzzles of our time: Given two biological molecules that are mirror images of each other, as similar as our right hand to our left, what has led to nature choosing one over the other? For example, why is it that our bodies can digest only right handed sugar molecules and why is it that most of the amino acids that make up our bodies are left handed?

The answer might be the amount of energy needed to make up the right handed and left handed forms, with nature choosing the easiest one. But any energy differences will be tiny, far too small to be measured by scientists.

However, Peter Schwerdtfeger thinks that the energy difference between right and left handed molecules may be measurable, if scientists choose the right molecules to look at. Applying advanced computational methods and invoking the forces that are used in the evolution of stars, the weak and electronic forces, he and his European collaborators will identify the best molecules to study, and then measure them.

Total Funding:    $870,000
Researchers:    Professor Peter Schwerdtfeger, Centre of Theoretical Chemistry and Physics, Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University (Albany Campus), Auckland.
Associates:    Professor Christian Chardonnet, Université Paris 13, France
Dr Jean Crassous, Université de Rennes 1, France
Professor Trond Saue, Université Louis Pasteur, France
Professor Lucas Visscher, Freije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands