Literature Discussion of "Mechanisms Controlling the Cellular Metal Economy"

Submitted by Kyle Grice / DePaul University on Thu, 07/17/2014 - 15:07
Description

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. 

Cobalt Schiff Base Zinc Finger Inhibitors

Submitted by Peter Craig / McDaniel College on Thu, 07/17/2014 - 13:08
Description

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

Exploring Post-Translational Modification with DFT

Submitted by Gerard Rowe / University of South Carolina Aiken on Thu, 07/17/2014 - 12:52
Description

This activity is designed to give students a deeper understanding of what post-translational modification does in a metalloenzyme using nitrile hydratase (NHase) as a model system.  The metallo-active site of NHase contains a cobalt(III) center that is bound to an unusual coodination sphere containing bis-amidate, cysteinate, sulfenate (RSO-), and sulfinate (RSO2-) ligands.

A Redox-Activated MRI Contrast Agent that Switches Between Paramagnetic and Diamagnetic States

Submitted by Vivian / Clemson University, Department of Chemistry on Wed, 07/16/2014 - 22:04
Description

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.

The relevance of Transition Metal-Carbon Bonds in Biology and Chemistry

Submitted by Mwalimu / Russell Sage College on Tue, 07/15/2014 - 12:45
Description

The students will write a paper in which they analyze the Vitamin B12 co-enzyme from biological, chemical and biochemical perspectives, and will use the guided questions to help show the relevance of an organometallic chemistry experiment to real biochemical systems. This activity is based on a synthetic lab experiment that students would have performed on transition metal-carbon bonds in biology and chemistry (The lab experiment was adapted from third edition of “Inorganic Experiments” by Derek Woollins).

Cadmium Carbonic Anhydrase (CdCA): Sustaining Life Using a Toxic Metal Ion

Submitted by Peter Craig / McDaniel College on Tue, 07/15/2014 - 01:18
Description

The Diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii is very resilient.  It thrives in poor quality water, where high CO2 levels, chlorine and cadmium ion concentrations, and pH are observed.  How is it possible for cadmium ions to be a nutrient for this diatom, when it is normally seen as a toxin in biological systems?

This LO introduces students to bioinorganic chemistry using the enzyme carbonic anhydrase to illustrate biodiversity, adaptation, HASB theory, metal ion ligand bonding as represented by the PDB using Ligand Explorer, and more.

Application of binomial distribution to interpret 31P NMR for aqueous solution of alpha-dodecatungstophosphoric acid, H3[PW12O40]

Submitted by Poloxymetman / Canisius College on Mon, 07/14/2014 - 17:44
Description

31-P NMR spectrum of alpha-dodecatungstophosphoric acid is a combination of thirteen spectra, each spectrum representing the compound with a different number of 183W isotopes per molecule. In order to fully interpret the spectrum one needs to apply binomial distribution to calculate the mole fractions of the molecules with various numbers of 183W isotopes.

This LO requires an understanding of the satellites concept in NMR spectroscopy, originating from coupling with nuclei whose NMR active isotopes are not 100% abundant.

The Structure and Color of Alums

Submitted by EGunn / Simmons College on Mon, 07/14/2014 - 13:09
Description

This is an in-class assignment designed to help students integrate their understanding of periodic trends and materials properties. Using the color of alum crystals as an example of octahedral coordination chemistry, students use their knowledge of electronic structure and periodic trends to predict which of the isomorphous alum crystals will be colored, and to qualtitatively rank the degree of crystal field splitting in a family of alum crystals.

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