CHIRALITY AS A CROSSROAD OF CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS AND BIOLOGY

Chirality is expressed throughout nature, whether microscopic or macroscopic, and whether animate or inanimate. We have been investigating chirality both in non-biological and biological domains, with a view to linking nanoscopic and macroscopic levels. Chirality in the solid state provides rich and novel chemistry but it is difficult to carry out spectroscopic studies, due to its intrinsic macroscopic anisotropies. To overcome the limitations, we have developed novel chiroptical spectrophotometers, UCS-1, -2 and -3. We could also give some insights into the mechanisms for left - right determination of snail coiling, which is relevant to body handedness of vertebrates. Recent results in both research fields will be presented.