New Course Fall 1998
BMB 497B
Metals in Biology
This 2-credit lecture course deals with the role that trace elements -
metal ions in general, and transition elements in particular - play in
living systems. The field is highly interdisciplinary, drawing on
principles from inorganic chemistry through biophysical chemistry, to determine
how metals function as the catalytic center of enzymes and redox proteins.
B M B 497B provides an introduction to this exciting and fast-moving field.
Topics include:
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Principles of coordination chemistry for biologists
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Principles of biochemistry for chemists
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Techniques of UV-VIS, EPR, ENDOR and Mössbauer spectroscopy;
conventional and stopped-flow kinetics
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Occurrence, uptake, and distribution of essential trace elements
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Biological electron transport including respiration, photosynthesis,
nitrogenase and biological dinitrogen fixation
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Theories of biological electron transfer mechanisms
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Biological dioxygen transport; iron, copper, zinc, and molybdenum
in metalloenzyme kinetics
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Metal activated enzymes in metabolism
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Mechanisms of biological metal transport; metal complex formation
with DNA
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Metal-based chemotherapy, biosensors and biochips
Prerequisites: CHEM 039; 3 credits
of Biochemistry recommended
T R 9:05 am - 9:55 am
105 Willard
Schedule # - 479247
Instructor: John H. Golbeck
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
e-mail: JHG5@psu.edu