Seminar in Inorganic Chemistry: Bioinorganic Chemistry

Catalog description

Many biochemical reactions depend on the presence of metal ions: adjusting the acid-base behavior of water, changing redox potentials and providing adequate pathways for electron and ion transfer, and transporting and activating small molecules like oxygen. Modern medicine has explored inorganic chemistry for cancer treatments (cisplatin), MRI contrast agents (gadolinium), and anti-inflammatories. Inorganic chemists have been inspired by biochemistry to develop new and more elegant chemical compounds that replicate enzymatic processes ex vivo such as photosynthetic electron transfers and carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. Chemistry 440 will touch on these and many other aspects of bioinorganic chemistry. In the beginning of the semester, we will discuss general reaction processes in inorganic chemistry. These processes will then be placed in a biological context through literature discussions and case studies. Students will discuss relevant and recent literature as well as ultimately develop a sample research proposal as a final project in the course Prerequisites & Notes Chemistry 240. No laboratory.