In a groundbreaking study published in May 2025, researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, along with collaborators from the Weizmann Institute of Science and Ben-Gurion University, unveiled a significant discovery in quantum biology. They found a direct link between the spin of electrons and the movement of protons within biological systems.
The Experiment
The scientists used crystals of lysozyme, an enzyme found in living organisms, on a magnetic substrate. They observed that the direction of the substrate's magnetization influenced the spin of electrons. This spin then affected the movement of protons within the enzyme, highlighting the role of chirality, or "handedness," in biological processes.
This research suggests that essential life processes are intrinsically quantum in nature. The team plans to further investigate how this coupling affects cell activity. This discovery could lead to new technologies that mimic biological processes, and even new ways to control information transfer inside cells.