Noelia Barrabés, a distinguished researcher from the Institute of Materials Chemistry at TU Wien, has been granted an ERC Consolidator Grant by the European Research Council (ERC) for her groundbreaking work in understanding and controlling the chirality of molecules, particularly focusing on mirror images. The project, named HAND, explores innovative approaches using atomically precise metal nanoclusters to shed light on the intricate processes behind the formation of chiral molecules.
Chiral molecules, existing as mirror-image variants, possess identical atomic compositions but exhibit diverse behaviors, especially in medical contexts. Noelia Barrabés delves into the challenging task of comprehending how these mirror images emerge during the formation of molecules, crucial knowledge with significant implications for medical treatments and applications.
The repercussions of mirror-inverted molecules gained notoriety during the thalidomide affair in the 1950s and 1960s. The molecule, existing in left-handed and right-handed forms, resulted in severe deformities in thousands of children. One form acted as a well-tolerated sleeping pill, while the other led to deformities if taken during pregnancy. Noelia Barrabés aims to contribute to preventing such incidents by gaining better control over the chirality of molecules.
Barrabés’ innovative strategy involves using catalysts in solid form, fixable to surfaces, providing a more efficient and practical solution for industrial applications compared to traditional methods. The research utilizes small gold clusters as catalysts, ensuring precision in their composition, allowing correlation of their chiral properties to their structure.
The gold clusters are anchored to a surface and equipped with additional molecules, known as ligands. This enables the team to understand the behavior of gold nanoclusters at the atomic level. The ultimate goal is to create surfaces with nanoclusters possessing specific chiral properties, thereby influencing chemical reactions on these surfaces. The team employs vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy to observe the chirality properties of various molecules directly during chemical reactions.
Noelia Barrabés, originally from Spain, completed her Chemical Engineering studies and doctoral dissertation at the University of Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona. She has undertaken research stints at institutions like TU Vienna and Queens University of Belfast. After completing a postdoctoral term in Montpellier, France, she joined TU Wien in 2010 and has since earned accolades, including an Elise Richter Fellowship from the FWF. The ERC Consolidator Grant, valued at approximately two million euros, will further propel her pioneering research.
Barrabés and her team’s work on understanding and controlling molecular chirality represents a significant breakthrough in materials research. The ERC Consolidator Grant will empower Barrabés to extend her impactful research, contributing to advancements in the understanding and application of chiral molecules, potentially reshaping medical and industrial practices.
