After this course, you are able to:
- identify the essential trace elements in living cells and explain how acquisition, transport, and storage occur
- apply the important binding models of metal-ligand interactions (crystal field and MO theory) to predict the strength of ligand binding in biological systems, and to explain their spectroscopic, physical, and biochemical properties
- recognize the most important metallo-enzymes and co-enzymes, understand how they are built up, their most important functions and properties, and choose the physical techniques to study the structure-function relationships
- evaluate the oxygen housekeeping in aerobic organisms, with a focus on the role of metalloproteins in binding, transport, storage, and use of oxygen
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In the bio-inorganic chemistry course the role of trace elements in biology as well as synthetic chemical models for their structure and function will be discussed. The lectures start with an introduction on coordination chemistry and inorganic redox reactions. Then we will look into the role of metal ions in biological electron transfer, and the physical techniques with which the structure-function relationships of these systems are studied.
Next metallo-proteins and metalloenzymes are introduced, and we will investigate for which properties certain metal ions were selected for certain roles in the most important biological cycles in the course of the evolution. As many metallo-proteins are based on heme (an iron porphyrin) we shall zoom in on the structure, function, and (bio)synthesis of heme.
Subsequently the oxygen housekeeping of aerobic organisms will be discussed. Many biological processes are coupled to the respiration cycle of aerobic organisms, and transition metal complexes are crucial for the formation, binding, transport, and activation of the life gas oxygen. Finally the metal housekeeping in living organisms will be treated. Following a few examples we get an impression of how metal ions are taken up, transported, stored, and disposed of by living cells. During the whole course examples of chemistry inspired by the biological roles of the elements will be discussed.
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Structure of Atoms and Molecules (NWI-MOL079), Reactions and Kinetics (NWI-MOL007), Biomolecules (NWI-MOL008), or Biochemistry (NWI-MOL008A), and Inorganic Chemistry (NWI-MOL102). This is a course in the theme 'Structure and Reactivity'. |
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Written exam.The final mark may be determined for at maximum 10 % by a literature assignment that will be presented during the course, and for which the student will hand in a written report at the end of the course. |
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