In this literature discussion, students read a paper about a cobalt metallopeptide that imitates the active site of the enzyme nitrile hydratase.  Specifically, the model complex is oxidized by air to produce a coordination sphere with both cysteine thiolate and sulfinic acid ligands, much like the post-translationally oxidized cysteine ligands in the biological system.

This is a literature discussion of a review by Tom O'Halloran (The link to the paper is included in the "Web Resources" below). The review covers concepts of metal content in cells, metal trasport, storage, and regulation. Its a good review to start a broader or deeper discussion about metals in biology. We have provided some questions to help guide the student discussion. These questions can be given to students prior to coming to class, and the answers can either be used for the in-class discussion and/or collected. 

This is a literature discussion based on the paper “Spectroscopic Elucidation of the Inhibitory Mechanism of Cys2

Students are asked to read an article detailing the development of a cobalt-based MRI contrast agent ("A Redox-Activated MRI Contrast Agent that Switches Between Paramagnetic and Diamagnetic States", Tsitovich, P. B.; Spernyak, J. A.;  Morrow, J. R. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 14247-14250,  DOI: 10.1002/anie.201306394). Before coming to class the students are asked to answer a series of questions designed to guide them through the first half of the article, and to be prepared to discuss their answers in class.

This is an in-class discussion of an article that appeared in The Economist.  It can be used to review several topics covered in the first year chemistry class.