Metals in biological systems can perform a wide range of reactions with exquisite efficiency and selectivity. In contrast, performing many of the same reactions in the lab requires harsh conditions and/or rare, expensive materials. In addition to their role in reactivity, metals in biological systems serve important roles in protein structure, electron transport, signaling, biological mineralization, and a host of other functions. In this class, we will investigate how metals support aerobic respiration, how metals provide us with food and fuel, and how metals in medicine facilitate healing through therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

This course seeks to take a holistic approach by connecting bioinorganic chemistry to three fundamental human needs: breath, nourishment, and healing. The first unit, Breath, follows the production of oxygen by Photosystem II, electron transfer in blue copper proteins, the transport of oxygen by hemoglobin, and aerobic respiration using cytochrome C oxidase. The second unit, Nourishment, looks at bioinorganic chemistry that sustains us through food and fuel. In gen chem, we learned about the Haber-Bosch process that feeds half the world. In Chem 190, we will learn about the nitrogenase enzyme that produces enough fertilizer to feed the other half. We will also discuss the hydrogenase enzyme and how it produces the fuel hydrogen. The third unit, Healing, looks at the roles of metals in diagnosis and in therapeutics.