Scientists develop novel method to monitor molecular aggregation

Chiral molecules are defined as molecules that are non-superimposable on their mirror images, much like that of left and right human hand bone structure. There are many examples of chiral molecules in nature, including proteins and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The dynamic processes of these chiral molecules are highly significant to understanding their biological activity. Indeed, protein aggregation is associated with many pathological conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, which is caused by the build-up of beta-amyloid fragments within the brain over time. Thus, it is important to understand and observe such (chiral) molecular aggregation and conformation over time.