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Bioinorganic Chemistry

Module description

Bioinorganic chemistry focuses on the interface between inorganic chemistry and biology. Many biological processes require metal ions, including respiration, photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, various metabolic pathways, nerve and signal transduction and protection against toxic compounds. An estimated one-third of proteins, and one-half of enzymes bind metal ions. Metalloproteins and metalloenzymes have found use in industrial applications, in the environmental sector and in biomedical research and applications.
This module builds on existing biochemical and chemical knowledge to understand the important interactions between metal ions and proteins. You will learn how organisms use metals in key life processes, you will gain knowledge of techniques used to study metalloproteins and you will investigate the potential of metalloproteins to be used in industry.
In order to take BIO2091 you must have taken BIO1332 and BIO1347 or NSC1003 and NSC1004. In addition, BIO2090 is a recommended but not essential pre-requisite.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to:

• Explain how metal ions bind to proteins and enzymes.
• Understand the role that exemplar metalloproteins and metalloenzymes play in important biological processes.
• Gain knowledge of methods and techniques, including on-line digital tools,that biochemists utilise for research into protein structure and enzyme catalysis.
• Advance proficiency in important biochemical laboratory techniques, data collection and analysis.
• Explore the use of metalloproteins and/or metalloenzymes in industrial applications.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Build upon previous knowledge of biochemistry and inorganic chemistry to explain why metal ions bind to proteins.
• 2. Discuss the roles of metal ions in biochemical processes.
• 3. Identify industrial, environmental and/or biomedical applications of bioinorganic chemistry.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Collect and analyse quantitative data from biochemical techniques, and show understanding of how those methods are applied in research.
• 5. Demonstrate competency in the reading and interpretation of research articles, review papers and other scientific literature.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Communicate ideas and theories by written means in a manner appropriate to the intended audience.
• 7. Utilise a range of digital tools, platforms and applications to manage, interpret and share information.

Syllabus plan

The module begins with three lectures that revise prior knowledge of the inorganic chemistry of transition metal ions: how and why they bind to ligands and the properties and reactions of the resulting complexes.

The module continues with a mixture of lectures, workshops, and laboratory sessions:

Each lecture focusses on a particular metal ion or biochemical process and will cover the theory required to meet ILOs 1 and 2 above. Examples of metalloproteins discussed could include: oxygen transport and storage proteins; electron carriers; oxioreductases; hydrolases; isomerases and synthases.

The workshops are aimed at meeting ILOs 3, 5 and 7 above and will introduce key skills required to complete the final summative assessment. Workshops will include: the use of digital tools for analysis and engineering of protein primary structure; the use of platforms such as Alphafold and PyMol for protein structure prediction and interrogation; journal club; Q&A session with researchers in the field of protein structure analysis and enzyme catalysis; panel discussion on the applications of metalloenzymes in industry.

The laboratory sessions are aimed at meeting ILOs 4 and 6. You will utilise UV-visible spectroscopy to investigate the properties of two metalloproteins, myoglobin and cytochrome c. You will collect and analyse quantitative data, and by comparison to the scientific literature draw conclusions.

Accessibility statement:
The four laboratory sessions will take place in GP101 and are of 3 hrs in duration. These sessions will be undertaken in groups of 3, and some sessions involve fine laboratory work. Breaks are possible and students are able to leave the laboratory for short periods.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons that are approved by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. If deferred, the format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). The mark given for a deferred assessment will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral - if you have failed the module (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) and the module cannot be condoned, you will be required to complete a re-assessment for each of the failed components on the module. The format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). If you pass the module following re-assessment, your module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Kaim, Schwederski and Klein. Bioinorganic Chemistry: Inorganic Elements in the Chemistry of Life, Wiley, 2nd Edition, 2013
• Biochemistry (International Edition) Ninth by Lubert Stryer, Jeremy Berg, John Tymoczko, Gregory Gatto (ISBN: 9781319114657
• Inorganic Chemistry. Housecroft and Sharpe. Pearson.
• Biochemistry 8th Revised edition by Berg, Jeremy M., Tymoczko, John L., Gatto, Gregory J. (ISBN: 9781464126109
• d-Block Chemistry (Oxford Chemistry Primers) by Winter, Mark J. (ISBN: 9780198556961

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE page: https://ele.exeter.ac.uk/

Key words search

Metalloprotein Biochemistry, Catalysis, Metals, Proteins, Enzymes, Inorganic Chemistry.