Molecular recognition and olfaction
Exploring how biological receptors distinguish closely related molecules and whether molecular vibrations and electron transfer contribute to odour recognition.
Spin Biophysics R&D
Luca Turin
Experimental research at the boundary of molecular physics and biology.
About
Physics in living systems
Luca Turin is a biophysicist whose work examines how physical processes at the molecular scale may influence biological function.
His research has ranged from testing whether molecular vibrations contribute to odour recognition to investigating chirality, spin-dependent effects, anaesthetic mechanisms, and free-radical chemistry in living systems.
Research
Chirality and electron spin
Investigating whether molecular handedness can affect electron transport, spin polarisation, and measurable physical properties.
Anaesthesia
Studying the molecular action of volatile anaesthetics, including their interactions with oxygen reduction, radical chemistry, and biological membranes.
Quantum effects in biology
Developing experiments that can test possible quantum-scale mechanisms in living systems.
Selected work
Recent and foundational papers
- 2025 A chance insight into phosgene toxicityFree Radical Biology and Medicine
- 2024 Free radical production induced by visible light in live fruit fliesJournal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B
- 2023 Effect of anesthesia gases on the oxygen reduction reactionJournal of Physical Chemistry Letters
- 2022 Anomalous viscosity of a racemate: a simple experiment demonstrating chirally induced spin selectivityJournal of Physical Chemistry Letters
- 2011 Molecular vibration-sensing component in Drosophila melanogaster olfactionProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences