Tags: Inorganic Seminar


Characterization of [2Fe-2S] Clusters in Monothiol Glutaredoxin-BolA Complexes and ASP1 a Novel Phosphatase/Kinase

Iron sulfur clusters are common cofactors found in almost all living organisms. They have diverse biological functions, ranging from electron transfer and catalysis to regulation of gene expression and enzyme activity. Glutaredoxin (Grx) proteins are found in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms.  One class, called monothiol Grxs, functions as carrier proteins for Fe-S cluster biosynthesis by virtue of their ability to bind [2Fe-2S]…


Lactate Racemase and its Novel Nickel-Pincer Nucleotide Cofactor

Lactic acid, a central metabolic intermediate of many cells, occurs as L- and D-isomers that are interconverted by lactate racemase. This enzyme from Lactobacillus plantarum is encoded by LarA and harbors a tethered nickel-pincer nucleotide (NPN) coenzyme derived from niacin. Synthesis of the enzyme-bound cofactor requires LarB, a carboxylase/hydrolase of nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide (NaAD); LarE, a Mg·ATP-dependent sacrificial sulfur…


Molybdenum Oxides and Neuromorphic Computing

As modern electronic devices shrink, existing silicon-based technology struggles to reliably retain charge, presenting theoretical and physical limitations for these applications. Recently, ionic/electronic hybrid three-terminal memristive devices have been engineered to emulate biological synaptic functions, allowing for the concomitant storage and processing of information. While these devices are still in infancy, brain-inspired information…


Ancient enzymology. Formate dehydrogenases and the reduction of CO2

We have examined the rapid reaction kinetics and spectroscopic properties of the molybdenum-containing, NAD+-dependent FdsABG formate dehydrogenase from C. necator, demonstrating the direct transfer of the substrate Ca hydrogen to the molybdenum center of the enzyme in the course of the reaction. In light of recent advances in our understanding of the structure of the molybdenum center propose a reaction mechanism involving direct hydride…


OXIDATIVE DEGRADATION AND REDUCTIVE REPAIR OF [4Fe-4S] CLUSTERS

Of the three most common Fe-S clusters found in nature, the [4Fe-4S] cluster is the most abundant and accounts for the most diverse functions, ranging from electron transfer to regulation of gene expression and radical generation1. Solvent accessible [4Fe-4S] clusters are very sensitive to oxidative degradation and as such, are sometimes used as sensors of oxidative stress2. The major aim of this research project is to understand the mechanism…


Transition Metal Catalyst Design and Application in the Synthesis of Cyclic Polymers

Cyclic polymers do not contain end groups, and as a result they demonstrate a number of unique physical properties. For example, the density, refractive index, Tg, viscoelasticity, reptation, and surface properties of cyclic polymers all differ from those of their more common linear analogs. Over the past fifty years a handful of catalysts have been discovered that can create cyclic polymers. In this seminar, four new catalysts will be presented…


"Metaling" with Nature: Design and characterization of model metalloenzymes for small molecule activation


Conversion-Type Electrodes and Ceramic Separators for Next Generation Li-Ion Batteries

Energy density and cost of Li-ion batteries (LIBs) based on conventional intercalation compounds are closely approaching their limits. The reliance of conventional cathodes on the use of toxic metals additionally endangers health and safety of miners in developing countries. Conversion-type active materials offer an opportunity to double energy stored in LIBs, reduce their cost by the same factor, and improve cell safety. These materials may be…


Electron Delocalization in the f-Block

The principal goal of the La Pierre group synthetic and X-ray absorption spectroscopic (XAS) studies is to disentangle the complex electronic structure of f-block materials. Definitive spectroscopic and thermodynamic signatures of electronic structure phenomena unique to lanthanide, actinide, and transuranic materials are lacking. In particular, the process of establishing clear correspondence between spectroscopic signature, electronic…


Investigating the Heterogeneous Nucleation in Nanocrystal Growth with an Isocyanide Probe by Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

Bimetallic nanocrystals, made of two different metal species, have properties that are often superior to their single-metal counterparts. The arrangement of the two different metals relative to each other in the nanocrystal is very important in determining the nanocrystal properties, and considerable effort has been made to deposit one metal atop the nanocrystal surface of another metal with precision in location. It remains a grand challenge to…
Subscribe to Inorganic Seminar