Spotlight on Metalloenzymes - Bioinorganic Strategies for Converting Matter and Energy

About the event

Cellular metabolism builds on a plethora of highly orchestrated biochemical reactions that convert matter and energy. Many of these reactions are catalysed by complex metalloenzymes, some of which can be traced back to the earliest known organisms and the emergence of life on earth. Besides a fundamental interest in their biological function and impact, metalloenzymes also represent valuable targets for sustainable approaches in industrial synthesis and energy supply. Exhibiting unrivalled efficiency and selectivity, they can be utilized in biotechnology and bio-inspired catalyst design if their structure, function, and dynamics are understood on a fundamental level.

This multidisciplinary symposium thus aims to bring together scientists from York and abroad to discuss recent progress and challenges in metalloenzyme research from a molecular, cellular, and application perspective. Since most processes catalysed by metalloenzymes are thermal reactions, a key objective of this meeting is to explore future avenues for using light as an additional reactant in order to provide new strategies for experimental control and sustainable reaction cascades.

Programme 

Titles of individual talks will be added as they are confirmed 

Session 1 | Chair: Prof Neil Hunt

12.30 Introduction

12.40 Dr Amanda Jarvis, University of Edinburgh 
[Artificial metalloenzyme design, title will follow shortly]

13.10 Dr Alison Parkin, University of York 
Fourier Transforming Protein Film Electrochemistry

13.40 Dr Philip Ash, University of Leicester 
Unifying Activity, Structure, and Spectroscopy of [NiFe] Hydrogenases: Combining Techniques to Clarify Mechanistic Understanding

14.10 Dr Jamie Blaza, University of York 
Mitochondrial Complex I Through the Lens of Electron Cryomicroscopy (cryoEM)

14.40 Poster Session & Coffee Break

Session 2 | Chair: Prof Robin Perutz

15.20 Prof Anne-Kathrin Duhme-Klair, University of York 
Iron-Siderophores as Redox-Reversible Anchors in Artificial Metalloenzymes

15.50 Dr Jason Lynam, University of York 
Using Time-Resolved Infra-Red Spectroscopy to Probe Transition Metal-Catalysed Reactions

16.20 Dr Marius Horch, University of York / Technische Universität Berlin
Understanding Biological Hydrogen Conversion by Ultrafast and Two-Dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy

16.50 Dr James Birrell, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion
[FeFe] Hydrogenase: The Curious Case of the Bridging Carbonyl

17.20 Closing Remarks

Registration

The symposium is free to join for everybody interested in the topic. Please register here until 16 September. Poster presentations on metalloenzymes and related topics are very welcome. If you intend to present a poster, please indicate the title of your presentation on registration.