A collaborative research project between siblings—Prof. Michal Sharon of the Weizmann Institute of Science and Prof. Yossi Paltiel of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem—has identified a potential missing link in the origins of life. The study, published in the journal Chem, demonstrates that magnetism can selectively separate amino acid isotopes, offering a new theory on how early biological asymmetry emerged.
From Family Dinner to Scientific Breakthrough
The investigation into life’s origins began at a Friday night family dinner, where the conversation shifted from personal updates to the specialized research of siblings Michal Sharon and Yossi Paltiel. While the pair jokingly noted that they try to avoid talking about science during Friday night meals, but it rarely works,
the resulting dialogue bridged two distinct scientific disciplines: mass spectrometry and the physics of molecular chirality.
As Weizmann Institute of Science reported, Paltiel—a physicist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem—described his ongoing work with Prof. Ron Naaman regarding the magnetic separation of chiral molecules. Chirality refers to the structural property where molecules exist in mirror-image forms, much like left and right hands. In living organisms, this asymmetry is fundamental; for example, amino acids are almost exclusively left-handed, while DNA and RNA twist to the right.
The Role of Magnetism in Molecular Asymmetry
The theory explored by the team suggests that life may have first emerged on magnetic surfaces, such as the beds of shallow, mineral-rich lakes. This effect is already utilized in industrial settings to produce effective medicines and pesticides, where the correct molecular structure is vital for safety and performance.
Sharon, who specializes in mass spectrometry, identified a method to track this separation process. By measuring the mass of the molecules, the researchers could verify the results of the magnetic filtration experiments. The team, which included doctoral student Ofek Vardi, designed a setup using methionine—an amino acid essential for protein synthesis—passed through filter paper embedded with micron-sized magnetic particles.
Isotope Separation: An Unexpected Discovery
To track the movement of the amino acids, the researchers incorporated different carbon isotopes into the methionine molecules. These isotopes are atoms of the same element that possess different weights. The team tested various combinations, switching both the handedness of the amino acids and the orientation of the magnets.
The results went beyond simple chirality. The researchers observed that the magnetic filter also separated the molecules based on their isotopic composition. Molecules containing the heavier carbon-13 isotope displayed a stronger attraction to magnetic particles than those containing the lighter carbon-12, regardless of their handedness.
“We used left-handed methionine molecules that differ only in their isotopic composition. Remarkably, the magnetic filter consistently favored one composition over the other in the course of the separation.”
Ofek Vardi, PhD student in Paltiel’s lab, via Weizmann
Paltiel emphasized the significance of this finding, noting that the magnetic separation occurs due to a quantum property of electrons known as spin. This tiny magnetic moment differs between mirror-image forms, and as the research demonstrated, it also influences how isotopes interact with magnetic fields.
Implications for the Emergence of Life
The ability of magnetic fields to distinguish between isotopes and chiral forms provides a potential mechanism for how early life could have achieved the chemical bias necessary for biological function. By showing that magnetic environments can systematically favor specific molecular structures, the researchers have presented a compelling case for how the building blocks of life might have been sorted and concentrated on primitive Earth.
For the researchers, the collaboration served as a bridge between their respective fields. I always thought Yossi and I worked in completely different areas. Now we’ve discovered common ground – in trying to understand how life began,
Sharon observed. The study indicates that the environment—specifically, the presence of magnetic minerals—may have played a far more active role in guiding the development of biological matter than previously understood.
